Japanese katana tang translation

libra · 24th January 2009, 01:04 PM

Hi everyone.
I am Aristeidis.I watch this forum for a long time and now I need your help.
Can anyone translate please the inscription at the tang?
Also can you suggest the age of the blade?
Thank's in advance.
Aristeidis

Rich · 24th January 2009, 05:27 PM

I think (?) it reads Bizen Kuni ju Kiyomitsu (not sure about the Kuni ju).
Looks like a Koto period blade, possibly Muromachi era 1500-1600's.
The dragon horimono is pretty well done and may have been added later
as it is quite sharp, but the blade has obviously been polished a good bit.

Rich S

libra · 26th January 2009, 02:19 PM

Hi Rich!
Thank you for your help!
I want to ask you if you can explain me what it mean Bizen Kuni ju?

I add some more images of the sword

stekemest · 26th January 2009, 06:38 PM

It does indeed look like koto. "Bizen kuni ju" means "resident of Bizen province" (now part of Okayama). I agree the "kuni" character is a bit difficult to read, but it would make sense.
Peter

24th January 2009, 01:04 PM	#1
libra Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GREECE Patras Posts: 40	Japanese katana tang translation Hi everyone. I am Aristeidis.I watch this forum for a long time and now I need your help. Can anyone translate please the inscription at the tang? Also can you suggest the age of the blade? Thank's in advance. Aristeidis Attached Images

26th January 2009, 02:19 PM	#3
libra Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GREECE Patras Posts: 40	Hi Rich! Thank you for your help! I want to ask you if you can explain me what it mean Bizen Kuni ju? I add some more images of the sword Attached Images

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24th January 2009, 05:27 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I think (?) it reads Bizen Kuni ju Kiyomitsu (not sure about the Kuni ju). Looks like a Koto period blade, possibly Muromachi era 1500-1600's. The dragon horimono is pretty well done and may have been added later as it is quite sharp, but the blade has obviously been polished a good bit. Rich S

26th January 2009, 06:38 PM	#4
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	It does indeed look like koto. "Bizen kuni ju" means "resident of Bizen province" (now part of Okayama). I agree the "kuni" character is a bit difficult to read, but it would make sense. Peter