slavia631 Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Hi all, I came across this sword in the line of work. I would take the time to investigate the mei myself, but I am on a business trip and have almost zero spare time. Can anybody tell me what it says? Thanks in advance! Quote
Grey Doffin Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 The mei starts with Seki and ends with Kanenori Saku. WWII era blade, I'm sure. Grey Quote
slavia631 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Thanks! Any idea on the rest of it? Yes, it is Gendai. I will also note that it has an arsenal stamp. Quote
David Flynn Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 If it has an arsenal stamp, Showa/Seki, it's not a Gendai, it's a Showato. Quote
slavia631 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Yes, you are right. I meant to say that it is modern WWII era, but indeed the Showa stamp would indicate Showato. Quote
David Flynn Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Seki Ju Ko Jima Kane Nori Saku. Sorry can't make out the other side . Quote
Nobody Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 The other side: 以大和鋼鍛之 – forged this from Yamato-hagane (Japanese steel?). However; I do not know its exact translation. Quote
Jacques Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Hi, Maybe this sword has been made with the same steel which was used to build the Yamato battleship. Quote
slavia631 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Hmm...Interesting. Would that make it particularly valuable assuming it is in good condition? Quote
Nobody Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Yamato (battleship) sank in April of 1945. And it has yet been salvaged. Quote
slavia631 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Does that mean this is an unlikely explanation for the "Yamato-hagane"? What other things could it mean? Quote
Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Does that mean this is an unlikely explanation for the "Yamato-hagane"? What other things could it mean? Yamato battleship got her name from Yamato region (as her hull sisters Shinano and Musashi did from respective regions). Her Myth begun only after Ten-ichi-gō mission, at the end of the war. I'm not aware of any use of her steel for "celebration blades" as made for the Mikasa's guns. She had 2 3x155 mm secondary guns turrets removed in 1944, but they were already recycled from a cruiser class that refitted to 2x203 mm turrets. Not sure they've enough appeal to be used for celebration swords. Spare 460 mm gun barrels have been said to be around but I can't just now find their fate for sure. Most likely melt to lay down the Shinano. Methink the caption might translate into "Steel from Yamato region". Other explanation is that Yamato is also the poetic name of Japan. "Made of homeland/high quality steel". Quote
cabowen Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 I believe it is another way to say wa-tetsu 和鉄, or Japanese steel, as opposed to yo-tetsu 洋鉄, or western steel. Quote
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