Neat blade example / Translation resources

[Jrbjag]

I've recently started collecting Nihonto and have been amazed by the depth and complexity here.  I'd like to start translating the signatures myself, and wondered if those in the know might have online resources they use to aid in this.

 

If so, would you mind sharing?

 

I have an example I found of an unusual blade that Id be curious about translating and learning more about.  It looks to be koto and o-suriage, and I'm curious if the Mei points to that as well.  

 

Anyone mind sharing their opinion or sharing what the characters translate to?

Best,

John

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Unfortunately I think this piece looks questionable. However, as far as your question about resources for translation, I am copying over an earlier post below. 

 

Best regards, 

Ray 

 

Kanji list:
You can find many of the commonly seen kanji in swordsmith names here at the link below. Take the time match each character against what you see in your inscription (nakago or on the associated kanteisho). 
http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/kanji1.htm

 

Locate kanji by radical:
If you have been unable to locate the kanji in the list on Richard Stein's website, then try to find them with this search tool. Look at the component radicals in each character, and as you multi-select radicals you can a more refined list of candidates for the kanji you are looking for.
https://kanji.sljfaq.org/mr.html

 

Swordsmith index:
Once you have one or more matching kanji identified, enter them into this database to locate entries that are candidates for your smith.
https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch

 

Japanese provinces:
This is helpful with inscriptions where the smith has identified where he worked, produced a specific sword or identified his title.
https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/Japanese-provinces/

 

Japanese nengo:
Helpful to identify the time period for nengo (date inscriptions)
https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/Japanese-nengo/

 

Kanji flashcards:
This is a robust set of kanji flashcards that focus on Nihonto-related kanji. A must have.
https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b109-kanji-flashcards

 

[Jean]

There is also: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/index.html

[uwe]

The date pretends to be koto, but as Ray said….

With the above links and suggestions you should be able to translate the mei (quite easy) and the nengo yourself.

Have fun, John!

[Jrbjag]

Thanks very much, all!

 

Ray - my education continues!  Thank you, as always.

 

I did think the ridgeline on the tang looked unusual.

 

Admittedly, I have an odd sense of what's fun - but locating a sword that looks off, and then trying to see if I can validate intuition is what I'm doing with this one.

Best,

John

[Mark S.]

Also an excellent resource:
 

https://markussesko.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/nihontocompendium-e1.pdf