Translation help needed.

[iowa1111]

I have just acquired a couple of swords and would like to see if I may find some assistance in identifying the age and makers. These are not going to be put up for sale- I am just very interested and have very little knowledge. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I will be putting them in two different posts-Here is the first of a Wakizashi. I found it in a shirasaya- and it also had writing on it. I will post as well. Thanks to any help.

[John A Stuart]

Here is what it says. 牛桐家實一心力畄雄 What it means is something else. Something about the sword being an heroic strong and true stopper from the house of Cow and Kiri tree. Wow, maybe Koichi sama or Kiyoshi sama can make heads or tails of it. John

[Stephen]

was hoping some one would jump in on this maybe i needed to post something so id get a fast correction, i see it starting with ichishinto.....then ending with hiro??

[John A Stuart]

I didn't think it was a name, but, a slogan of some sort. ??? John

[Stephen]

im sure Nippon will set us right.

[k morita]

Hi friends

 

1st pic:Treasure sword of successive the Katagiri family.

 

2nd pic:Treasure of the Katagiri family.

 

3rd pic ; 一心　力 留雄

[Stephen]

wow must be a hard one if Nobody can get it

[iowa1111]

I did not realize that this would be so difficult??Can anyone recommend any other resources?

[Jean]

Iowa,

 

Could you please sign your post as per the Board rules?

 

Just to add that :

 

if Morita san cannot translate it

You are deep in the (I can't find the Rhyme)

 

Morita san is our ultimate recourse. His knowledge in this field surpasses all members' ...

[Stephen]

perhaps post a shot of the full nakago and rest of the blade, he lives in my town but is not answering questions if to and when to meet.

[k morita]

I thank you, Jean.

 

iowa1111

I fear wrong answer and wrong interpretation of the Kanji characters for you.

So,i did not want to answer easily that the Kanji characters of the 3rdd photograph was slogan or personal name or somethig.

[iowa1111]

Here are some more pics, I hope that they help. Should have the signature set up right?

 

Thanks

[Brian]

Joseph,

Something about the geometry of this one is off to me. The lines and shape is awkward and the kissaki has been badly reshaped, placing the yokote in the wrong place. I expect at one time this was polished badly or had serious damage that was repaired. Not sure if there is a boshi or not anymore. It even looks like the mune dips down as it reaches the point area. Not much we will be able to tell you except the translation. And that might have been put on to enhance it

As always, the catch 22 is that it needs a decent polish to really bring it back, but the polish might not be worth it. One we all struggle with.

 

Brian

[Curran]

As Brian said- very strange geometry. Dulled and rounded yokote, but mirror like finish. Very abrupt and small kissaki relative to the cross section further down. Dramatic taper.

 

Someone like Stephen would need to look at the kissaki in person to determine what is going on there to try and reverse engineer what gave this wak such geometry.

[Stephen]

agree the kissaki is buggered, also looks awkward do to the habaki not n line, is it wood or what, does not fit with the flow of the mune and tsuka

[iowa1111]

Yes, it is wood.

[Stephen]

one or two shots more with out the tsuka on to get a feel of the sugata

 

and full shot of the nakago blade up tang down

[iowa1111]

Thanks to everyone who have helped me on this. I have no idea where I could have gotten this much help. Here are a few more photos, I hope they help. Thanks

[Stephen]

hate to say it Joe, it looks like it was a broken blade and shaped to a wak, nakago poorly shaped, a full front photo would have been best insted of the side. why it has treasure on it is beyond me. it looks so well cut too, the kanji that is, maybe at one time a great blade. dont think we need to meet unless you want me too.

[iowa1111]

Bad news indeed, is there agreement on this? Even so, it is good to have all the info I can get. I truely appretiate all the help in the identification.

[Stephen]

just to make sure its not the first two photos too far away, a full frontal shot of the tang from the machi down, might show us something else, and maybe better news not to get your hopes up thou.

[iowa1111]

I hope this helps a little- if you would like to take a look- let me know. thanks

[reinhard]

if Morita san cannot translate it

You are deep in the (I can't find the Rhyme)

 

Morita san is our ultimate recourse. His knowledge in this field surpasses all members' ...

 

Jean,

 

Shyly I dare to compete with Morita-san's skills. My version of the wakizashi-mei would be:

 

- isshin (as in Koa Isshin), meaning: "wholeheartedly, with all the strength of my heart"

- chikara, meaning: strength, power (just in case you haven't noticed yet)

- the fourth character is tricky to translate, for I haven't seen it on mei yet. I'll call it "Wilson", because it reminds me of the volley-ball in the movie "cast-away" (with Tom Hanks) after things started growing out of it.

- Yu, meaning: "male, brave, great"

 

meaning/translation therefore is: "wholeheartedly strength (Wilson) brave"

 

I'm sure Stephen wants to check the delicate habaki-moto area in hand in order to evaluate the straight transition-line between polished area and nakago.

 

The shape of the blade reminds me of late Heian/early Kamakura-period examples, where the blade is tapering abruptly towards the point and curvature seems to "bow" towards the top. Good reason to check it carefully; not to forget the excellent carving of the mei.

 

Sorry, forgot to take my meds against sarcasm.

 

reinhard

[ottou812]

畄:

 

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi- ... 1MKJ%E1%B7

[Jean]

Shyly I dare to compete with Morita-san's skills. My version of the wakizashi-mei would be:

 

Bravo Reinhard

[Curran]

why so wry?

a scottish whit in Switzerland.

[george trotter]

Well Jean, I'm mystified (as I often am)...apart from Morita san and ottou812 listing the correct kanji, I haven't seen anything that actually translates the meaning of the kanji phrase or slogan...what do you see that I have missed?

regards,

George.

[Nobody]

Generally 畄雄 (Tomeo) can be a real personal name, though I do not know if it applies in this case.

[george trotter]

Morita and Moriyama san...could this be a wise Buddhist saying such as... "the strong mind overcomes the strong man"...?

Regards,

George.

[Brian]

Respectfully guys, I think the translation is like a dog chasing its tail. I don't think we are going to get a clear translation, because I don't think there is one. The comments are pointing to this one being low class and ruined. I don't think the mei is a: original, b: well done and c: done by someone knowledgeable.

Everything points to this one having been worked on, messed around with, and misrepresented.

Jut what I (and a few others) see.

 

Brian