Old iron Gunbai. I require help with translation.

[Shodan]

I have own this for about five years. No has ever been able to translate it. I hope someone here can help. 

Thanks

 

[SteveM]

Hi Walter,

They are siddham symbols. Siddham is a type of sanskrit. Usually on Japanese items, each symbol will represent a Buddhist god, so it's not really a string of text that can be read. They are just four symbols that are each connected with a Buddhist god - similar to how certain objects represent certain saints (Peter is represented by keys, Paul is represented by swords, etc..). 

 

Top left symbol might represent Bishamon-ten. Top right symbol might represent Fudō-myōō. Both of these gods are common themes on these kinds of antiques. The other ones you can try to match by looking at the chart below;

 

https://swordsofjapa...rary/Japanese-bonji/

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishamon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala   (Fudo-myoo)

 

 

 

 

[Shodan]

Thank You Steve, I appreciate your help.