Sayagaki request - Shimada Yoshisuke

[RichardP]

Hello All—

I recently purchased a Shimada Yoshisuke tanto in shirasaya from Aoi.  They were kind enough to agree to approach Tanobe-sensei on my behalf to request a sayagaki, and I was delighted to hear that he was agreeable.  
 

A few weeks later, and the pictures I received back left me a bit startled—Tanobe-san had filled both sides of the saya with beautiful calligraphy (see below).  Without wanting to put Aoi on the spot (I’m grateful they agreed to approach Tanobe-san at all), I asked them if sayagaki translation is a service they offer.  Their response omitted any reference to my translation enquiry altogether, so I feel uncomfortable pursuing the issue with them any further.

 

While I enjoy the idea of attempting a translation myself, Aoi is waiting for my approval to begin the export process.  My concern is that it’s not inconceivable that it’s worthwhile pushing this blade for higher papers, and since it’s already in Japan, I should make that decision now.  To be clear, I don’t pretend to have the knowledge base to form an opinion as to whether particular blades are of juyo quality—but given how much ink Tanobe-san invested on the back side of the saya, I’m assuming that either a) he has reservations about the current attribution and is elucidating his reasoning, or b) he really likes the blade.  (I couldn’t find any “chin”s or “cho”s, but I hope it’s the latter!!)

 

I hate to approach you folks without having done any of my own translation homework, but I feel I should let Aoi know as soon as possible where to send the blade.  And the last thing I want is to be the gaijin making everyone uncomfortable with awkward questions about pursuing juyo papers, for a blade that Tanobe-san just downgraded…  

 

Thank you all so much for any translation services, as well as any advice on whether to pursue higher papers.

 

Thank you,

Rick

[RichardP]

[RichardP]

[RichardP]

 

 

 

 

 

[RichardP]

 

 

[RichardP]

[xiayang]

Congratulations on your new acquisition!

 

I'll start with the easy bit:

 

駿刕島田義助 = Sunshū Shimada Yoshisuke

 

刃長九寸六分有之 = Length: 9 sun 6 bu

 

歳癸卯松風月 = sixth month of the year of the water rabbit

 

探山覩並誌 [花押] = Tanzan inspected and recorded [kaō]

[Nobody]

 

幅廣・寸延ビテ反稍強キ形態而肌立心ノ板目ニ鍛ヘテ起伏アル角互乃目乱ヲ焼キ

沸ヅキ砂流・金筋カゝリ宛ラ村正氣質ヲ加味シタル感ノ活氣漲ル優品也年代天正頃

 

1) Sugata

幅廣・寸延ビテ反稍強キ形態

 

2) Kitae

肌立心ノ板目ニ鍛ヘテ

 

3) Hamon

起伏アル角互乃目乱ヲ焼キ

 

4) Hataraki

沸ヅキ砂流・金筋カゝリ

 

5) Impression

宛ラ村正氣質ヲ加味シタル感ノ活氣漲ル優品也

 

6) Jidai

年代天正頃 – Around Tensho (1573-1592)

[RichardP]

Thank you so much, Jan and Moriyama-san!

 

[RichardP]

On 6/20/2023 at 5:53 AM, Nobody said:

 

幅廣・寸延ビテ反稍強キ形態而肌立心ノ板目ニ鍛ヘテ起伏アル角互乃目乱ヲ焼キ

沸ヅキ砂流・金筋カゝリ宛ラ村正氣質ヲ加味シタル感ノ活氣漲ル優品也年代天正頃

 

1) Sugata

幅廣・寸延ビテ反稍強キ形態

 

2) Kitae

肌立心ノ板目ニ鍛ヘテ

 

3) Hamon

起伏アル角互乃目乱ヲ焼キ

 

4) Hataraki

沸ヅキ砂流・金筋カゝリ

 

5) Impression

宛ラ村正氣質ヲ加味シタル感ノ活氣漲ル優品也

 

6) Jidai

年代天正頃 – Around Tensho (1573-1592)

1) Sugata

Wide and Long

 

2) Kitae

Hada ____ Itame ____ Forged?  Jigane?

 

3) Hamon

________ Gunome Midare ____ Yaki(ire?)

 

4) Hataraki

Nie? Sunagashi ___ Kinsuji___
 

5) Impression

___ Muramasa ______________________
(“A lively and excellent product with a sense of Muramasa’s temperament” — Google Tanslate)