SIgnature translation

[bobjim]

hey guys I was wondering if you could help me out with this mei, also do you think this is a polished hamon simply wearing out, or do you think the temper is running off the blade?

 

http://img153.imageshack.us/i/pix2023069843.jpg/

http://img72.imageshack.us/i/pix2023068921.jpg/

http://img710.imageshack.us/i/pix2023068640.jpg/

http://img203.imageshack.us/i/pix2023068093.jpg/

http://img219.imageshack.us/i/pix2020827500.jpg/

http://img188.imageshack.us/i/pix2020827187.jpg/

http://img685.imageshack.us/i/pix1665687031.jpg/

http://img571.imageshack.us/i/pix1665688359.jpg/

 

Thanks guys.

 

Aaron B.

[Grey Doffin]

The signature is "Koa Isshin Mantates Kin Saku" All Asia one heart Manchurian steel respectfully made. The other side is the date: Showa and a zodiacal number which I can't read offhand. If no one beats me to it maybe I'll bet it for you.

Grey

[Grey Doffin]

I think the date reads, "Showa Midzumoye Uma Haru" or Showa 19 spring, or spring of 1944. The 3 Kanji on the nakago mune are a number, 262 I believe.

Anyone care to correct me?

Grey

[outlier48]

Hi Grey - mizunoe- uma (壬午) = 1942 (Feb 15 1942 - Feb 04 1943)? Couldn't get just a year date when I googled this. However, John Yumoto in "The Samurai Sword" lists 1924 as "kinoe-ne" - so - mizunoe-uma is 1942?

 

 

Charlie Brashear

[Nobody]

The signature is "Koa Isshin Mantates Kin Saku" All Asia one heart Manchurian steel respectfully made. ..............

To be pricese, “鐡 (tetsu)” in the “満鐡 (Mantetsu)” context does not mean steel but railways (鐡道 – tetsudo).

Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Manchuria_Railway

[Grey Doffin]

Yes, I was wrong on the date. It is the 19th year of a 60 year cycle that began in 1924, not the 19th year of Showa, which began in 1926. The year is 1942; you're right Charlie.

Grey

[Rich S]

Lots of info on Koa Isshin blades, including zodiac date chart at my website:

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/koa.htm

 

Also great info at:

 

http://www.k3.dion.ne.jp/~j-gunto/gunto_149.htm

 

Hope this helps.

Rich S

[bobjim]

Wow, thanks for that info. But what do you guys think about the hamon?

 

Aaron B.

[outlier48]

Aaron - I for one need better photos to be able to comment. Maybe others with more experience will not be so hindered. ANy chance of getting scans of this sword?

 

Charlie Brashear