Help with translation of a Myochin tsuba ...

[docliss]

I should be grateful for some assistance in translating the kanji on the attached tsuba. A beautiful mikagi-ji, mokume guard by Myōchin Munesake (H 06238.0), my attempts at translation are as follows:

SHINMICHI ? ? ?

MYOCHIN OSUMI-NO-KAMI

 

Any help will be most gratefully received.

 

Regards, John L.

[Nobody]

神道五鐡練

明珍大隅守

 

The phrase ”神道五鐡練” is often found on Myochin tsuba. But I do not know its correct reading or actual meaning. It may read “Shito gotetsu neru/ren?”, I think.

 

The following book explains that it reads “Shinto-gotetsu-ren” and means carefully forged iron.

Ref. Japanese NAMES AND HOW TO READ THEM

http://books.google.co.jp/books?id=_1YV ... t&resnum=2

[docliss]

Yet again Koichi, my grateful thanks to you for your help. John L.

[John A Stuart]

Interesting. Iron refined 5 times in a godly way. That is something found in many forges of the time, asking for beneficence from the Kami, right? Would 5 just be a number with a magical/superstitious significance? John

[yogoro]

Intersting tsuba , this book which indicate Koichi is available to download in pdf.

http://www.archive.org/details/Japanese ... 00koopuoft

(Brian , please add this link to to General Nihonto Related Disscusion/Interesting book ...)

 

Mikolaj

[Brian]

Thanks Mikolaj,

Added to the free articles and books download page: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2549&p=18137

 

Brian

[Alan Morton]

Koichi, come and spend your holidays at my place in Sydney and go through

my pathetic collection. Regards Alan. :D

[Nobody]

Koichi, come and spend your holidays at my place in Sydney and go through

my pathetic collection. Regards Alan. :D

Thanks, I want to cross the equator someday.

[Brian]

Koichi,

Somehow, I don't think you would have any shortage of offers.

South Africa has a place for you to stay anytime you can make it here too.

 

Brian