Translation help (kanenaga????) Yoshinaga!

[gtstcactus]

Hi Guys,

 

This mei is on a sword in WWII mounts. Can't see any sign of hamon / hada on it. The owner thought it was a machine made blade because no hamon / hada is visible, I thought it might just need a polish.

 

The best I've managed is the last 2 charaters which I think is Kanenaga.

 

Am I right? If I am can anyone identify which one? Did this smith sign machine made blades (surely not)???

 

I've been thru the kanji pages swordsmith database and can't match the 1st 4 characters, any help would be appreciated!

[John A Stuart]

A Mino Seki smith Yoshinaga. John

Issei Tananaki?? 一星谷

[gtstcactus]

Thanks John,

 

Do you know what time period this smith was active in?

 

Also any chance you (or someone else) could translate the whole mei for me? The characters are just too busy for me!

[John A Stuart]

I am not sure which smith this is, since I have trouble translating 関住一星谷義長 Seki ju (???) Yoshinaga John

So many readings, Isseigaya, a place, 'one star valley' or many readings of a name??

[gtstcactus]

Thanks John,

 

What does Issei Tananaki mean? or is it a name / place? I googled it but got no hits....

[John A Stuart]

??? I am hoping someone may be familiar with it. I suspect a name because it is after the 'ju' kanji. John

[Nobody]

星谷 (Hoshiya) is his family name. And there is no "一" before it.

[george trotter]

Edit. Moriyama san has answered already.

[gtstcactus]

So does it say

 

Seki ju Hoshiya yoshinaga?

 

The only smith in the database from mino is:

 

Yoshinaga

Koto, Mino no kuni (Tenmon:1532)

Chu-jo saku

YOS607 TTp737, ¥2M

 

Would it be this yoshinaga?

[k morita]

So does it say

Seki ju Hoshiya yoshinaga?

The only smith in the database from mino is:

 

Yoshinaga

Koto, Mino no kuni (Tenmon:1532)

Chu-jo saku

YOS607 TTp737, ¥2M

Would it be this yoshinaga?

 

Hi,

The mei says "Seki ju Hoshiya yoshinaga".

Hoshiya Yoshinaga is WWII period smith in Seki.

[gtstcactus]

Thanks Morita,

 

Was he the only smith by that name active in WWII? I just seen that a sword sold on ebay recently http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=120715375081&nma=true&rt=nc&si=HkIlNMkiJlKkUq1%252BmVa0rToT6NM%253D

 

The naga character is different from the mei I posted (I think).

 

So were there 2 smiths called Hoshiya yoshinaga from seki active in WWII?

 

I greatly appreciate your time and help!

[k morita]

The naga character is different from the mei I posted (I think).

So were there 2 smiths called Hoshiya yoshinaga from seki active in WWII?

 

Yes, one is 義長　Yoshinaga,

and one is 義永 Yoshinaga.　

[gtstcactus]

which is considered the better of the two?

[k morita]

Hi,

Both smith are low grade.

[Jean]

Morita sama,

 

You have just killed the owner hopes