Cuirassier Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Please do not tell me what the name is if I got wrong. I am trying to learn to read mei. This is maybe not even the right sort of sword for this forum, in which case forgive me. It has a showa stamp on it. Yes, it is in military mounts. I think it says Tsu shu (Tsushima) Toshi Muni Saku Helpful, "you got the 3rd (or whatever) character wrong" comments are welcome though. Cheers Mark Quote
Nobody Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 Sorry, but you are totally wrong except "saku". Quote
Cuirassier Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Koichi OK, Seki Shu Toshi Mune Saku ? Mark Quote
Ted Tenold Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 Mark, I'd like to commend you on your approach here with respect to learning how to read mei. It's a fine way to interact while really helping yourself with efforts instead of just asking answers. I hope others will follow your lead. Quote
Nobody Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Cuirassier said: OK, Seki Shu Toshi Mune Saku ? You recognize only “saku” kanji correctly. Quote
Cuirassier Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Ted Thanks, but I am starting to go a little I have referred to several books (Robinson and Scott Slough mostly) and I wonder if John Scott Slough got some wrong as I thought I matched "Seki" with an example he gave. Anyway.... Hi Koichi OK, my final attempt unless I get at least 2 characters right Gio or Yoki Gawa Masa Michi Saku Please, if I do not have at least 2 right (if so, please tell me which ones are right), put me out of my misery and tell me what the mei actually is, please Regards Mark Quote
Jacques Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi, Nobody said: Cuirassier said: OK, Seki Shu Toshi Mune Saku ? You recognize only “saku” kanji correctly. "Shu" is correct too :D I applaud your efforts Mark Edit OOPS, i need to open my eyes this morning i confused shu 州 with kawa 川 Quote
Nobody Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi, Greatly improved! 1. NG. 2. seems to be correctly deciphered, but usually reads “kawa” in this case. 3. Masa - correct 4. NG. 5. saku - correct Quote
Cuirassier Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Koichi Thank you very much for doing this. Please, if I do not get it this time, please put me out my misery and tell me the full mei. I do not think he is such a worthy sword-smith to cause me such eye and head ache; the steel looks western and the hamon too regular (undulating). Kiku Kawa Masa Nori OR Yoshi Saku Excuse me. Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggghhhhh! Thank you Mark Quote
Nobody Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 I think that the mei is 前川政継作 – Maekawa Masatsugu saku. The first kanji might be a little tricky. BTW, I also make mistakes sometimes. Quote
Guido Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Just a short comment for those who are not familiar with "Wasei Eigo" ("Japanese English"): NG = no good = wrong. :D Quote
Jacques Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi, Quote BTW, I also make mistakes sometimes. Nobody's perfect Quote
Guido Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Jacques D. said: Nobody's perfect Except you, of course. Quote
Cuirassier Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Koichi Thank you very much . I can see now the first character, the one you have doubts about. But it is actually the 4th character, the one you say is "tsugu", I have problems reconciling. Please do not get me wrong, I do not doubt what you say, it is just as long as I stare at the character on my tang and the one for tsugu, I just do not see it So thank you, I would never have got it. Mark Quote
Jacques Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Hi, Sorry guido, i've forgotten that germanic people is not very easy with *second degré*/tongue-in-cheek. My remark was referring to Moriyama san's pseudonym Quote
Mark Green Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Geezze Guido, That pic made me fall out laughing. :lol: Mark G Quote
reinhard Posted July 4, 2009 Report Posted July 4, 2009 Cuirassier said: it is just as long as I stare at the character on my tang and the one for tsugu, I just do not see it Kanji in signatures can differ strongly from textbook examples. That's something you will encounter quite frequently. It's the same with our personal handwritings. Most of it cannot be deciphered by somebody, who is not familiar with Roman letters and our language in general. - After seeing and understanding many mei, you will get a feel for it. reinhard Quote
Grey Doffin Posted July 4, 2009 Report Posted July 4, 2009 A big chunk of trouble in learning is that text books and online Kanji charts are print and the signatures on swords are handwriting; they often don't look alike. (Watch out for blatant self promotion) My Kanji Flashcards are handwriting. Email for details if you're interested. Grey Quote
Brian Posted July 4, 2009 Report Posted July 4, 2009 Grey's flashcards are indeed a great resource I hear (although I stupidly still need to purchase them myself, but will take care of that shortly) Good to get a feel for the written vs printed (idealized style) of kanji. Think of it like a doctors handwriting. Most of us can't read it easily, but a pharmacist easily makes it out. It is still English, and legible, but you won't recognise many of the characters. Such is written kanji. Brian Quote
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