Markchapman Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 Hi there Need some help on a signature we saw on a military katana. The sword was found in someone attic,the gentleman who know has it had a handle he made himself on it, no sheath and a standard military. The sword is most likely around 1940 ther eis a seki stamp on it aswell. Could anyone help with the signature? Quote
Jean Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 Mark, In our French Forum, no newcomer is allowed to post without introducing himself. First, by courtesy, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about the necessity to have this mei translated so quickly as to be your first post. The translation is easy. Quote
Markchapman Posted June 11, 2011 Author Report Posted June 11, 2011 Ok Hi IM mark im from belfast, 23 years old archaeologist. Been interested in swords for a long time, and then that progressed into samurai swords when i studied smithing in my archaeology degree. I was introduced to this site by a Peter McCafferty and have been reading up through the forums since then, however this si m first post. Basically im posting this as Peter would like to know the signature as he is thinking on making an offer to the gentleman who owns the sword. Quote
Jean Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 Mark, That's better and much friendlier. You have on top of this page a few links : Nihonto Kanji pages, educational links which shall help you to progress. I was sure, as I told Chris before erasing his mail giving the translation, that it was a question of sale/buy. I am going to post Chris' answer, but your friend wil never progress in doing this. Just a fool by an artefact on a signature... Spoiler! : Reveal hidden contents seki ju fukuda sukemitsu 関住福田祐光 Quote
Markchapman Posted June 11, 2011 Author Report Posted June 11, 2011 I didnt actually say the purchase was based on the signature sorry. But it is better to do some research on the sword before you buy one is it not? Quote
Jean Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 In fact Mark, you must begin studying the workmanship, then see if it matches the signature. Do you Know if the mei is legit? Do you Know the smith workmanship? Have you some signatures examples to see if they match with this one? Do you know this smith's rating? Do you have enough data records on this Smith to set up a price? These are the questions.... Quote
Brian Posted June 12, 2011 Report Posted June 12, 2011 Mark, Don't take this as criticism or unwillingness to help. We are just currently in a drive to encourage people to have a go at translations themselves before we give the answer, and your post just comes at a good time to emphasise that this forum encourages education and self learning I think that since you say this has a Seki stamp, and is therefore likely non-traditionally made...mei comparisson is not an issue, and a simple identification should suffice. This will be classed as a standary mass produced Gunto if it indeed has a Seki stamp. Brian Quote
peter Posted June 12, 2011 Report Posted June 12, 2011 Hello all, Thank you jean and Brian for your comments as regards the mei in question, Mark came with me to his first military show yesterday , a gent there had a blade at home and discribed it as Japanese, i went to his house in the evening to have a look but mark couldnt make it, i did look for an hour or so through a few books for the mei but got nothing, he is listed though on the later pages of Sloughs although nothing to compare to, The sword itself didnt interest me because of the condition and age as i prefer older nihonto,but may have interested Mark as a first sword and an introduction to the helpful gents and the workings of the NMB. The gentleman wanted enough money to buy an item he had seen at the show but was comparing his blade to the nihonto on display and their prices. so no offence intended to anyone Peter Quote
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