Taygrd Posted June 11, 2009 Report Posted June 11, 2009 Good Evening Gentlemen, I come hat in hand asking for assistance. This sword was picked up off a pile of weapons in WWII and brought back. I have tried to translate it myself and I think the swordsmiths name was Kaneyuki but I would very much like some assistance with the mei. The fuchi was also signed and I have no idea about that mei. I apologize up front for the quality of the pictures and I think I have them all oriented and sized correctly except for the fuchi. Thank you for your help. Quote
reinhard Posted June 11, 2009 Report Posted June 11, 2009 blade: Takada (no) Ju SADAYUKI fuchi: (MITSU?)HIRO saku These pics are on the verge of being illegible. Better ones for translation are most appreciated in the future. reinhard Quote
Taygrd Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Posted June 12, 2009 Thank you Sir for taking the time to translate this for me. I do apologize for the pictures (shaky hands and poor camera skills) and I will try to do better. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted June 12, 2009 Report Posted June 12, 2009 Yes, I agree with Reinhard on the readings. The first character on the fuchi may be 光 Mitsu-, but possibly 芝 Shiba-, but it's hard to see, and I would want to check my books first. Quote
hybridfiat Posted June 12, 2009 Report Posted June 12, 2009 Hi Nathan Id love to see pics of the fuchi and kashira. Ive found that using a rest like a book or file allows me to steady the camera and keep the same distance from the item. Also use the MACRO setting if you want close ups. Quote
Taygrd Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Posted June 12, 2009 Thank all of you for your efforts, I am truly grateful. Steve thank you for the picture tips, I tired bracing the camera by tucking my arms into my body but that obviously does not produce good results. I will post the Fuchi - Kashira later tonight since they are on another computer. Thank you gentlemen, this is a family hierloom that I am trying to get information on, there is no intention of selling it. Quote
Ludolf Richter Posted June 12, 2009 Report Posted June 12, 2009 If you have a scanner use it in order to get very sharp mei-pics.Ludolf Quote
Brian Posted June 12, 2009 Report Posted June 12, 2009 Just as an aside.. I find that some of the old digital cameras take perfectly good macro shots of nakago and fittings. Everyone is upgrading to 10 megapixel and bigger cameras, and often these don't do as well at macro shots as plain and cheap older cameras. You don't need a huge picture..just a clear one. I have a Canon 350D and yet when i want close up pics of signatures, I haul out my old Sony Cybershot 2.1 MP, as it does great close-ups. Just saying you don't need expensive to take decent pics. Brian Quote
Mark Green Posted June 12, 2009 Report Posted June 12, 2009 Nathan, Hi. The guys above are correct. Your sword mei reads 'Takada (the school) ju (made by) Sadayuki (the smiths name). This looks to be a wakizashi (sword under 24 in. long blade). There were a couple generations of Sadayuki in Bungo province, in the shinto era Mid-late 1600's. There was also a few from Koto times. Beter pics of the nakago(tang) would be needed to tell. I collect this school, so I would love to see some pics of the whole sword if you get a chance. All were good swordsmiths. mark G Quote
Taygrd Posted June 14, 2009 Author Report Posted June 14, 2009 Gentlemen, thank you so much. I hav e very little info on this sword so I do appreciate you taking the timew to educate me. I did some research in my few books and found the three Sadayuki smiths and I am guessing the 1600s. I have little else too go on. Steve, I have included some picturs of the Fuchi/kashira. The little I know of swords I know even less about the fittings. Any input would be appreciated. Mark I have included the picture I have of the blade as well. Again I apologize for the poor quality of pictures, I am going to purchase a tripod to help. Again my thanks. Quote
Nobody Posted June 14, 2009 Report Posted June 14, 2009 Again I apologize for the poor quality of pictures, I am going to purchase a tripod to help. I do not think that the problem is your camera shake. I suspect that your camera is too close to the object. You should understand that a minimum distance is always necessary for the lens to adjust the fine focus. Quote
Taygrd Posted June 16, 2009 Author Report Posted June 16, 2009 Thank you Steve, Ludolf, Mark, and Nobody. I feel that you are correct in the assesment of my picture skills and will practice in order to avoid such headaches in the future, Gentlemen thank you agian for your time and efforts. Sincerely Nathan Quote
Mark Green Posted June 17, 2009 Report Posted June 17, 2009 Here are a few Sadayuki from the Bungo to. I'll get some more if you like. Quote
Taygrd Posted June 18, 2009 Author Report Posted June 18, 2009 Thank you Mark, It is great to see mei and hamon of those other swords and the skill of these smiths. That first one has a beautiful hamon. Quote
Mark Green Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 The Sadayuki gang were all good smiths. Your sword looks very much like my Shigeyuki. Likely about the same time period. Mark Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.