Date questions..

[sencho]

Well after my Sukemitsu wakizashi that I bought from Big Mo became a Norimitsu, I have had my first chance to examine the date on the back of the nakano. It is as follows:

 

Tensho Roku Nen Hatchi Gatsu Hi

 

天正六年八月日

 

(1579 - sixth year of Tensho 8th Month)

 

I was originally told Tensho 1573, but this may have been mo just generalizing the emperor reign as the time of the sword.

 

Any way a couple of questions have come up here, one being why on my sword is their just a "HI" 日 on it's own. Shouldn't their be a day number before that? Or is this something that is often on date inscriptions.... or is it ssomething other than "HI"?

 

Cheers

[Bungo]

kapitan,

it is " customary " to leave the day out............. usually we read it as a " lucky day in the 8th month " or................

 

the Japanese are the first to invent " back dating of stock option ", keep the date " open " ?

 

milt The ronin

[Pete Klein]

or second month. I believe that for reasons that have to do with 'luck' the dates are always expressed in February or August. At least that has been my understanding.

[sencho]

Hi Pete and Milt,

 

Thanks for the info..

 

So are you saying that this is normal.... to just have the 日and no number before it?

 

regards