sword pics for translation

[smac401]

Evening,

I am new to the site and swords in general though I have always had an interest in them. I received my first by way of a family member and have purchased another. I have been able to idenitfy some of the inscription on the Nakago but there is so much on it that it is overwhelming. A close friend of mine was able to idenify Naomichi as the signature on it but we are not real clear on the rest of the inscription. I am really interested in the history of the sword so I am posting it for the experts.

The tsuba is signed " Masafusa" on the left and " Bushu ju " on the right, we have figured that part out at least. It is a beautiful sword and I am really intersted in it's inscription. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated to say the least. I have tried attaching photos with a link but they may not turn out well. If not I will try again, thanks

 

Steve M.

 

[Edward G]

Steve: All the pics look very good, ok all of you out there lets see if we can get some help on the sword tang translation!

 

Thanks

 

Ed Watson

[smac401]

Thanks for the help Ed I hope I did it justice with the photos.

 

Steve

[k morita]

Hi, :D

The swordsmith of this sword is not Mishina Naomichi.

The swordsmith of this sword is Hikosaka Akiyoshi. 紹芳

He was hight class Samurai and swordsmith, Suishinshi Masahide school.

See Honma's Meikan(3rd ed,) page,8.

[smac401]

Thank you very much for the assistance it was very useful. I do not have the book you identified but I do have access to Hawley and was wondering which of the makers he might have been in this reference book. I have identified Aki 121 or 123 in the Hawley reference guide. If you are able to translate the other inscriptions I would greatly appreciate it. There is so much on it and I am not sure what they each represent and the age of the writing seems to be a factor for me. Let me know if you have time to do, thank you again this puts me on a different road but I am still going forward..

 

Steve M.

[Nobody]

I think the inscription says as follows;

 

彦坂紹芳使侍士三品直道鍛錬間暇自焠之

Hikosaka Tsuguyoshi (彦坂紹芳) made a retainer Mishina Naomichi (三品直道) forge this, and (Tsuguyoshi) quenched this personally in my free time.

 

FYI; there is a similar inscription of Tsuguyoshi.

http://www.samurai-nippon.net/V-488/

[smac401]

Mr. Morita

 

Thank you again I was able to find it in the Nihonto guide and found the top right four inscriptions for Hikosaka Akiyoshi which was the AKI 123. I thank you again.

 

Steve M.

[smac401]

Thank you very much I just got real confused but it is opening my eyes. Two makers for one blade, is that normal for the time period and now I am really confused about the possible dating of it. I appreciate the knowledge your sharing with me and I will keep researching on the sword and take all information given to heart..

 

Steve M.

[cabowen]

One individual (professional smith) forged the blade and another (his employer) did the quenching to create the hamon (white colored hardened edge). This particular person seems to have enjoyed this and did in on occasion. There are other examples of this in sword history but it is indeed rare. 18th century....Please take good care of this sword as it deserves proper preservation.

[k morita]

I think the inscription says as follows;

 

彦坂紹芳使侍士三品直道鍛錬間暇自焠之

Hikosaka Tsuguyoshi (彦坂紹芳) made a retainer Mishina Naomichi (三品直道) forge this, and (Tsuguyoshi) quenched this personally in my free time.

 

FYI; there is a similar inscription of Tsuguyoshi.

http://www.samurai-nippon.net/V-488/

 

Moriyama san

Yes,that's right,nice translation of the tang.

However, I support common pronunciation Akiyoshi on Honma's Meikan,not Tsuguyoshi.

[Nobody]

Morita san,

 

I am always unsure about the correct reading about a proper noun. Akiyoshi may be the correct reading. BTW, the reading “Tsuguyoshi” is based on Toko-soran (刀工総覧) by Kawaguchi Noboru (川口陟).

[k morita]

Morita san,

 

I am always unsure about the correct reading about a proper noun. Akiyoshi may be the correct reading. BTW, the reading “Tsuguyoshi” is based on Toko-soran (刀工総覧) by Kawaguchi Noboru (川口陟).

 

Moriyama san,

As you know,both pronunciations are also correct as swordsmith name(Akiyoshi/Tsuguyoshi).

However, to exclude confusion, we should write by one common pronunciation of the smith name .

So, i support common pronunciation Akiyoshi on Honma's Meikan.

[smac401]

Gentlemen,

 

Two rights do make a right, and believe me when I say the sword will be very well preserved and looked after with great care. I wouldn't have it any other way. All this help has made we want my other possible koto period sword out for review for you guys. It is unsigned but in a very actively covered shira saya I believe one inscription on is is Sukesada but the others are very old. I may post it later this evening if you are interested, please let me know. Thanks again for sharing you knowledge with me.

 

Steve M.