Tanto Mei Translation Request

[La Espada Ancha]

Hi,

 

I recently found locally a large tanto / small waki (nagasa = 15 inches, hira-zukuri, iorimune, chu-suguha hamon) that I am considering having polished. It is in a somewhat sorry state - a previous owner tried to sharpen it and even went as far as to create a bush league hilt in an effort to match it (in color) to the saya. :? To do this, they glued the handle to the nakago. This is the wood (and glue) remnants you see in the photo below.

 

Can somebody please translate the mei for me?

 

Thanks in advance for the same...

 

 

 

[george trotter]

It looks like YAKU O JI

There was a Sanshu Yahagi ju Yakuoji working in Mikawa c.1429 and another working there in 1504 who just signed three kanji like this.

Don't know if this tanto is either of their work.

Regards,

George.

[Bugyotsuji]

Try 薬王寺　

  Reveal hidden contents

Yaku-o-ji

as a first step.

 

PS Just saw George's post above. Apologies for repetition...

[cabowen]

the glue may come off with acetone.

 

looks to be a decent blade possibly worth restoration....

[La Espada Ancha]

Thank you George and Piers for the translation and thank you, Chris, for the acetone suggestion. What impact (if any) will the acetone have on the patina on the nakago? Any other suggestions for loosening the glue and wood?

 

Thanks again,

 

Chris

[cabowen]

  La Espada Ancha said:

What impact (if any) will the acetone have on the patina on the nakago? Any other suggestions for loosening the glue and wood?

 

Thanks again,

 

Chris

 

I wouldn't have recommended it if it would cause a problem......

[Alan Morton]

Hi Chris, I work in the Fibreglass boat industry and use acetone all

the time. IT will dissolve most glues in a short time , even maybe

stand the tang in a jar with some in the jar, be careful about breathing

and flames.

 

Alan.

[La Espada Ancha]

Thank you Alan and Chris for the reassurance re: using acetone to remove the glue residue.