Translation help

[shawn]

Hi all,

 

I was hoping someone may be able to translate the markings on a Japanese sword I have come across. As I cannot read or translate any of it, any assitance is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Shawn

[Bugyotsuji]

Try

豊州住藤原正行　Ho-shu　Ju　Fujiwara Masayuki

[shawn]

Thank you very much for the information, what does it mean? Is that the manufacturer or where it was made?

[Bugyotsuji]

Thank you very much for the information, what does it mean? Is that the manufacturer or where it was made?

 

In the Province of Ho, (part of present-day Tokyo?) in residence, Fujiwara (title) Masayuki (smith's name). Find a sword reference book, and look up regions, and smiths named Masayuki over the ages, and then see if the style of the sword fits with the smith you have decided it must be. I assume you have no paperwork with the sword. If the sword and the name are good, you may be able to get paperwork to back up your conclusion. Enjoy your search, whichever way it takes you!

[Nobody]

Ho-shu (豊州) = Buzen (豊前) + Bungo (豊後)

[shawn]

Thank you very much for the information, what does it mean? Is that the manufacturer or where it was made?

 

In the Province of Ho, (part of present-day Tokyo?) in residence, Fujiwara (title) Masayuki (smith's name). Find a sword reference book, and look up regions, and smiths named Masayuki over the ages, and then see if the style of the sword fits with the smith you have decided it must be. I assume you have no paperwork with the sword. If the sword and the name are good, you may be able to get paperwork to back up your conclusion. Enjoy your search, whichever way it takes you!

 

No paperwork. It has been handed down from my grandfather from WW1 era. I believe it may be an NCOs sword, but the blade could be from anywhere, thus my curiosity.

[Bugyotsuji]

Ho-shu (豊州) = Buzen (豊前) + Bungo (豊後)

 

Koichi san. Many thanks. You always pick up my dropped bits for me. One day I hope to be Ichi-nin-mae.

[Stephen]

i for one would like to see more of the sword, mos deff not a nco but much older.

[doug e lewis]

Hi shawn,

 

the members responding before me have light-years more knowledge than me, but if i may venture comment or two.

 

if the sword is from WW1, i do not think there was such a thing as an NCO sword. that is a WWII designation, and would probably mean gunto [not traditionally made]. if from WWI, where Japan was on the Allied side, it would mostly likely be a gendito, ie made after 1876, or an older blade -- family heirloom, maybe. how it is mounted might be one clue. showing pictures of the whole sword, fittings, and anything else that might have accompanied it [bag, shirasaya with sayageki [kangi writing on shirasaya which is plain wood storage scabard].

 

now if the kanji on the nakago has a date --- Nobody translated that so i am guessing there was none ---- that would answer most questions. now, what school, etc, need picutes. [not for me, for those in NMB who really know someything about nihonto.

 

thank you for sharing your grandfather's sword with us.

 

doug e

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Masayuki was a Bungo Fujiwara Takada smith it seems there were four generations from Kanei until Genroku.

[doug e lewis]

ah, thank you Jacques,

 

if i was thinking i would have looked up the smith's name myself. though now i must check period names, no help please. can only learn by doing it myself [these don't just roll off the top of your head, do they? i mean, you do have look it up just like us mortals, right??]

 

so, another Bungo smith! i have started researching Bungo in depth, since they seem not to be held in very high esteem by some collectors, yet all comments on them by historical sourses say they were known for their sharpness. maybe not as arty as other schools??

 

doug e

[shawn]

I have posted photos of the sword here. Thank you to all for helping me work out the origins of this sword. It means alot.

 

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6824

[doug e lewis]

shawn,

 

all you did was direct us to another posting you made at NMB. those photos were not enough, as Stephen pointed out. we need ---rather the members who are much more knowledgeable need ---full, in focus photos of the tang (nakago) with the habaki removed and with the point of sword facing up. by the way --- DO NOT CLEAN THE TANG ---, and i think a close up the point of the sword (kissaki) would be interesting. the tang is the most important.

 

[by the way, i am sure one of moderators is going to point out to you that you should not open 2 postings on the same topic. no doubt you were just trying to find the right forum, i am sure]

 

thank you for putting up the requests for more photos.

 

doug e