George Sanders Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 My father obtained this Japanese sword in the South Pacific during WWII. From what I have read, it does not appear to be a Gunto. I haven't identified any of the military references. Additionally, it has similar characters to those seen on Ronald Aguirre's October 21, 2024 Topic, "Mei Translation". Hence my conjecture that it is a Nihonto. Any assistance with translating the Mei is greatly appreciated. Best regards, George Quote
Ray Singer Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 And dated a day in the 8th month of Bunka 8. 2 Quote
Ray Singer Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 I missed the third column earlier but it appears to be a special order inscription. 為堀祐明造之 3 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 Very good smith, please keep it safe as a family heirloom. 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted November 3 Report Posted November 3 August 1811 "KUNIHIDE (国秀), 1st gen., Bunka (文化, 1804-1818), Higo – “Enju Kunihide” (延寿国秀), “Higo no Kuni Enju Kunimura-masson Kunihide” (肥後国延寿国村末孫国秀, “Kunihide, successor of Enju Kunimura from Higo”), “Higo Kumamoto-jū Enju Kunihide saku” (肥後熊本住延寿国秀作), “Enju Kunihide” (延寿国日出), “Tōhi Kunihide” (東肥国日出, “Kunihide from the eastern part of Higo”), real name Tanaka Jusuke (田中寿助), he signed first with Kuninobu (国延), with the apprenticeship under Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀) he changed his name to Kunihide which he signed also with (国日出) his his later years, we know blades from the Kansei (寛政, 1789-1801) to the Bunsei era (文政, 1818-1830), dense ko-itame which tends to muji, suguha or gunome-midare in ko-nie-deki or nioi-deki, chūjō-saku" 1 Quote
George Sanders Posted November 7 Author Report Posted November 7 On 11/2/2024 at 3:45 PM, Ray Singer said: I missed the third column earlier but it appears to be a special order inscription. 為堀祐明造之 Ron, Ray, Bruce, John, Thank you so much for your responses. It is exciting to know there is more about the sword than it's just being a family memento. Now I need to know more about the smith and the characteristics of the blade. The special order inscription that Ray identified is something that seems to make it unique. In my very limited reading, they are not common. Is the translation of the special order inscription within the scope of this forum or will I need to inquire elsewhere? I'm not in a rush, I've waited over sixty years for a translation, but now that it's begun I don't want the search to stall. I would appreciate any guidance on the best resources for my study. Printed material is my preference. Holding the text, like holding the blade, is infinitely more satisfying than screen shots. So much to assimilate just to ask the questions. Best regards, George Quote
Toryu2020 Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 George I believe that last line is read: ”Tame Hori Sukeaki tsukuru kore” or at the request of Hori Sukeaki made this. I would seriously consider a polish and shirasaya for this one… https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flegacy.toryu-mon.com%2FArchives%2FEntries%2F2010%2F10%2F31_Enju_Kunihide.html&data=05|02|thelm%40visa.com|fe5fa249a65345b07b1208dcff6d1d3d|38305e12e15d4ee888b9c4db1c477d76|0|0|638666091326559551|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D|0|||&sdata=hfML3LWanPbyuXcntB4ZnDDkdi1FzSUilui%2BSO067t0%3D&reserved=0 1 1 Quote
George Sanders Posted Saturday at 07:08 PM Author Report Posted Saturday at 07:08 PM On 11/7/2024 at 1:43 PM, Toryu2020 said: George I believe that last line is read: ”Tame Hori Sukeaki tsukuru kore” or at the request of Hori Sukeaki made this. I would seriously consider a polish and shirasaya for this one… https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flegacy.toryu-mon.com%2FArchives%2FEntries%2F2010%2F10%2F31_Enju_Kunihide.html&data=05|02|thelm%40visa.com|fe5fa249a65345b07b1208dcff6d1d3d|38305e12e15d4ee888b9c4db1c477d76|0|0|638666091326559551|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D|0|||&sdata=hfML3LWanPbyuXcntB4ZnDDkdi1FzSUilui%2BSO067t0%3D&reserved=0 Thomas, Thank you for the article referencing Enju Kunihide. Do you think it's possible that he forged this Tsuba? Is that a question for Tosogu forum? Regarding Hori Sukeaki, what's the likelihood of obtaining more information about him? Should I start a new topic to discuss the blade? Thanks to all for their contributions to my continued education. On 11/7/2024 at 1:43 PM, Toryu2020 said: Quote
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