Jump to content

strange dating

Ludolf Richter

By Ludolf Richter
in Nihonto

 Share

Recommended Posts

Ludolf Richter Proficient

Ludolf Richter

Posted
Posted

Hi all,there is a nice Katana on a German auction to come,signed Hizen Kuni Masatsugu (Hawley MAS 1165 and 1135,Nihonto Meikan p.865).According to the description,the sword was made in 1940,but the inscription is as follows:koki nisen roku hyaku nen.For me that sounds like 2040 and not 1940.What does that mean?Ludolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nobody Grand Master

Nobody

Posted
Posted

Hi Ludolf,

 

The inscription must be 皇紀二千六百年 (Koki nisen roppyaku nen). It is not 2040, but 2600 Imperial year.

The year system was established in 1872 (5th year of Meiji) so that the first year of the Koki (皇紀) was defined to be 660 B.C. That is thought to be the year of accession of the first Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇). So, 1940 A.D. = Koki 2600.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...