Interesting Japanese sword

RSWORD · 3rd July 2009, 05:08 PM

I know we have quite a few Japanese aficionado's on the forum so I am hoping to receive some information about this Japanese sword. Am most interested about the marking on the scabbard and also perhaps a translation of the tang. Many thanks in advance.

RSWORD · 3rd July 2009, 05:10 PM

Just in case the tang is not legible enough here are two more detailed pictures. Thanks.

Maskell · 3rd July 2009, 10:25 PM

Hello RSWORD,

Can give someone a head start on the tang inscription, read from the top,

BUSHU is a shortened way of writing Musashi province, kind of like MA for Massachusetts.

DO means a body, usually indicating that it is a body cutting test.

The next 3 kanji I have no idea at this time but think it relates to the cutting test.

KORE WO means this.

SEKI is a village in Mino province, renamed and currently Gifu province.

KANE means combine but in this case is a kanji used by most sword smiths from Seki as the first kanji in their two kanji name.

Bottom left is a name plus what is called a kakihan or counter signature and presumed a testers name.

When I have more time I'll check more on the inscription. Hope this is of some help.

Best,
MASKELL
Jerry

RSWORD · 4th July 2009, 06:54 PM

Hi Jerry,

Thank you very much for the translation provided. It is very helpful. Any sense what the characters are on the scabbard?

RSWORD · 9th July 2009, 11:10 PM

Just wanted to bump this thread to see if there were any additional comments on the sword, the full tang translation or the symbols on the scabbard. Again, many thanks in advance.

3rd July 2009, 05:08 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Interesting Japanese sword I know we have quite a few Japanese aficionado's on the forum so I am hoping to receive some information about this Japanese sword. Am most interested about the marking on the scabbard and also perhaps a translation of the tang. Many thanks in advance. Attached Images

3rd July 2009, 05:10 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Just in case the tang is not legible enough here are two more detailed pictures. Thanks. Attached Images

3rd July 2009, 10:25 PM	#3
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Hello RSWORD, Can give someone a head start on the tang inscription, read from the top, BUSHU is a shortened way of writing Musashi province, kind of like MA for Massachusetts. DO means a body, usually indicating that it is a body cutting test. The next 3 kanji I have no idea at this time but think it relates to the cutting test. KORE WO means this. SEKI is a village in Mino province, renamed and currently Gifu province. KANE means combine but in this case is a kanji used by most sword smiths from Seki as the first kanji in their two kanji name. Bottom left is a name plus what is called a kakihan or counter signature and presumed a testers name. When I have more time I'll check more on the inscription. Hope this is of some help. Best, MASKELL Jerry

4th July 2009, 06:54 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Hi Jerry, Thank you very much for the translation provided. It is very helpful. Any sense what the characters are on the scabbard?

9th July 2009, 11:10 PM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Just wanted to bump this thread to see if there were any additional comments on the sword, the full tang translation or the symbols on the scabbard. Again, many thanks in advance.