Mei translation help needed

[dhmick]

Need help translating the mei on this WWII era sword. Thanks.

[tesscoothome123]

Hi, I believe your sword was made by Yoshiaki. I also see a partial Showa stamp. Regards, John

[cabowen]

Showa stamp

 

Made with Yasuki steel by Yoshiaki.....

[dhmick]

Thank you very much! Do you have any additional information on Yoshiaki and Yasuki steel? Dave

[cabowen]

Try google for Yasuki steel. You should find something....

 

No info on the smith though I think he worked in Seki.

 

This is a non-traditional blade, not considered a proper nihon-to....

[Bruno]

I found this about Yasuki steel, interesting...

 

Yasuki steel

A Japanese steel derived from iron sand which is known to be traditionally used in the making of the nihonto. Hitachi metals used a similar iron sand to produce a material called Yasuki steel originating in the mountain ranges of China.

 

Yasuki steel can be divided into white, yellow, blue and silver.

 

White steel

100% iron sand, has a few impurities such as phosphorus & sulphur.

Yellow steel

50% iron sand. Contains much more impurities than white steel.

Blue steel

White steel mixed with chrome, tungsten & Carbon properties.

Silver steel

A type of stainless steel. Highly resistant to rust, but dulls rapidly.

 

White steel is traditionally said to create the sharpest blade. The more pure the carbon steel is, it is harder to work as a metal. Additionally, it must be cooled rapidly or it will not produce the true potential of hardness. As a metalsmith, it is a steel which becomes a show of skill level to work with.

Blue steel is white steel mixed with chrome & tungsten. The mixture improves workability, while the carbon helps it stay hard & sharp, its properties can be compared to new ceramic material.

Ratings of the Yasuki steel go from 1 to 3. 1 is hardest while 3 contains more impurities, however, 1 chips easier.

The softest is 3 yellow Yasuki steel & hardest is super blue (one above 1 blue steel).