Katana Mei

[RJM]

I recently acquired a katana and I humbly ask for assistance in the translation of the mei.

Many thanks.

[xiayang]

相模國住貞宗 = Sagami no Kuni-jū Sadamune

 

渡邊治郎左二衛門勝春 = Watanabe Jirō Saniemon^[?] Katsuharu [?]

 

於嵐山中切太蛇 = cut a big snake at Arashiyama [?]

 

I have my doubts regarding the authenticity of the inscription though...

[lonely panet]

It dosnt match the age of the nakago

[RJM]

Here is additional pic of the nakago.  I too have my doubts…  Blade is 31 inches long.

[DTM72]

I translated one side of this one on Facebook. I also mentioned that the mei is VERY clear and does not match the age of the nakago. Sadamune of Sagami was a student of Masamune, and supposedly his adopted son.

[Bazza]

And if I remember correctly there are NO extant swords bearing a genuine mei of Sadamune.

 

BaZZa.

[DTM72]

1 minute ago, Bazza said:

And if I remember correctly there are NO extant swords bearing a genuine mei of Sadamune.

 

BaZZa.

There is now! lol

[RJM]

As I said.  I too have my doubts.  I still however curious about it.  You say the mei does not match the nakago.  If you deleted the mei where would you date or place the sword?  
Thanks,

Jay

[ROKUJURO]

It is not KATANA MEI but TACHI MEI, by the way.

[RJM]

I am aware of this.  I have learned since posting however it seemed foolish to repost.  Thanks though.

Jay

[DTM72]

13 hours ago, RJM said:

As I said.  I too have my doubts.  I still however curious about it.  You say the mei does not match the nakago.  If you deleted the mei where would you date or place the sword?  
Thanks,

Jay

Careful when you say "deleted the mei". This eludes to removing the mei by grinding or file. Although it has some rust spots, it may be in decent enough condition to send to shinsa. With NTHK or NTHK-NPO they would call it "Gimei", but...give you an attribution. The color and shape of the nakago should be preserved. This would help the shinsa team to asscertain the time period, school, and possible maker. If the mei was removed, on both sides, valuable information is now lost.

 

Hope this helps.

[RJM]

Dan,

I should’ve said ignoring the mei.  I have no intention of altering it in any way.  I was meaning that if the mei appears newer how old is the blade?

I hope that clarifies things.

Thanks again,

Jay

[Jacques D.]

All tachi by Sadamune were O suriage so they are all mumei....

[DTM72]

On 7/25/2024 at 4:56 PM, RJM said:

Dan,

I should’ve said ignoring the mei.  I have no intention of altering it in any way.  I was meaning that if the mei appears newer how old is the blade?

I hope that clarifies things.

Thanks again,

Jay

Need to see better pictures of the overall sugata (shape) and picures of the kissaki (tip). These pics will help us to help you know more of the time period from whence this came. Right now, with limited information, I would guess it to be from the 1500's.

[RJM]

Thanks Dan,

I will work on better pictures.  I think it’ll be some trail and error to figure out what works best.

Jay