Bashin protection

[Kurikata]

Hi ,

 

It is said that bashin were amulets protecting against unpredectible events as lighnting in some cases.

 

Are these kanji pretending to protect against something ?

 

[SteveM]

Left Side

南無阿弥陀佛 (Namu Amidabutsu) down the left side. 

雷除　(Kaminari-yoke) Protection from lightning. Also left side, under the above. So, yes this part would seem to be a way of indicating the maker's, or the inscriber's, wish for protection from lightning. 

 

Right Side

八幡公所佩貫級刀製　Hachiman kōsho hai kankyūtō-sei

 

Kankyūtō is the same thing as "bashin". It's just another way of saying "blood-letting knife". But I'm not sure why Hachiman (the god of war, among other things) is included in the inscription. I'm not finding any clues online either. Or maybe there is some meaning in the kanji that I am missing. Anyway, if I were to guess I'd say the inscription was way for the smith to invoke the god Hachiman (which may have some connection with the clan of the maker and/or the fief in which he was working).  

 

[Nobody]

八幡公所佩貫級刀製 – Imitated kankyuto which was worn by Hachimanko

 

八幡公 (Hachimanko) means 源義家 (Minamoto no Yoshi’ie).

Ref. Minamoto no Yoshiie - Wikipedia

[Kurikata]

Once again, a great thank you for this translation. Your help is highly appreciated. 

[SteveM]

Thank you, Moriyama-san. I was struggling with the Hachiman reference. Now I understand it, thanks to your post.