rebcannonshooter

Hello David, This is absolutely a legitimate Shigetsugu signature! Do you own this sword, or are just doing some research? Search the posts, there was quite a discussion on a sword by him recently and compare. Tom M.

Thanks Moriyama san, Yes, that's my sword, a friend of mine years ago sent photos to an acquaintance of his in Japan to help solve the mystery. We believed that the dedication on the nakago was made by the same hand as the swordsmith's signature (not a later addition). And, that since it was "dedicated to the Kasuga temple by Mikawaya Jinkichi" my assumption has always been that it was GIVEN to the temple to reside there. Your post about the sword's possible owner has caused me to re-evaluate my thinking about its history. What is your opinion about it being given to the temple vs. just prayed over at the shrine? Additionally, maybe you or other members could comment on how common it was to put a name and address on a shirasaya? I'm beginning to wonder if Mr. Terashima put his name on the shirasaya (like Japanese officers did on their military swords) in false assumption/ hope? that the sword would be returned to him. Thanks again for all your help, Tom

Thanks Piers, The swordsmith was from Yonago, and from what I could find there's no current shrine there. Possibly there was one in the 1850's?? The closest shrine to Yonago seems to be in Tottori. But maybe being in Japan you have better ability to discover a former shrine located in Yonago. Thanks again for the help, Tom

Hi Piers, The inscription only says "Kasuga Sha", and since the swordsmith lived in Hoki I assumed it was a local temple, but have no evidence either way.

Thank you MORIYAMA San, The sword is beautiful and light, dated 1856, and made by "Morita Yoshiharu" of Hoki Provence. The nakago has extensive inscriptions and indicates that it was named "Cloud Dragon" and was dedicated to a Kasuga Temple (I have no idea which one). I always assumed that the sword came to the U.S. at the end of WW2 and was taken from a shrine by a GI. I've cared for it for about 40yrs and never imagined that it could have belonged to somebody famous, and that possibly he was forced to turn it in at the end of the war. If only these swords could talk, what a story they would tell! Thankyou again for your help, Tom M.

Tony, I'm guessing that "Terashima or Terajima" is a family name, and that "Denai" is the given name of the owner? Is that right? Thanks again, Tom

Thanks Tony, When I was working on it, it appeared to be an address in Yokohama, but I just couldn't figure it out. What is "terashima denai"? Thanks again, Tom M.

Good Morning all, This is a sword I've had for a while. I struggled for quite some time trying to translate it, it doesn't seem to follow a normal pattern for other sayagaki I've seen. It almost seems as if its a name and address or something like that. Would appreciate any help you guys can give. Thanks in advance, Tom M.

Bruce, I believe John is spot on with his analysis. The location of the chuso is often more a function of the location of the mekugi ana than of model type. If one looks at John's photo, one can see that if you center the chuso on that sword, there would be little or no wood left to support the tsuka. I have a sword in my collection that has a "halfmoon" cut out on the side of the chuso, near where the spring attaches. It was put there to to allow the mekugi to go past it. The wood is understandably very weak there and not something that Japanese craftsmen normally do. Tom

I have an absolutely original, high end 94 and it does not have a pierced tsuba. But, I don't how prevalent they were on 94's or if pierced were more common. Tom M.

Thanks Thomas, I couldn't imagine that ALL the reference books were wrong. Makes sense that it was an older form! Tom M.

I too am a fan of Yasukunito! And I also own several, including a Yasu-Mitsu. The price of $6300 was about what I expected it to go for. Years ago they were way under valued, but today as Gerry noted, they're binging high dollars. Tom

Hi Guys, I'm confused, (not unusual). When Mike posted the translation request I did not recognize the Nengo. I looked in all my "printed" reference books and couldn't find it. After Uwe translated it as "MAN'EN" I looked again. All of my books show different Kanji for "MAN'EN". When I Googled it, Google showed the same kanji as on the sword. Google is apparently correct, but are all my reference books (Hawleys, Robinson Yumoto etc) wrong? What gives? Thank, Tom

Hi Steven, It looks like "O-SHU JU KANE TADA". While Kanetada is a fairly common name, I couldn't find one that signed like this. Hope this helps, Tom

Thanks SteveM, I always appreciate your input, guidance and patience for an "old guy" trying to improve his Japanese language skills! Thanks again Tom M.

Hi Steve, really interesting sword! The bottom part reads "KA-TO JU-MYO KORE SAKU" ( MAYBE 'KORE O SAKU' WOULD BE MORE PROPER??) The top three kanji are "NI-HON and maybe DAMASHII ????- "Japanese Spirit" hard to tell, its added later over a "Showa" stamp possibly to disguise the stamp?? Maybe some of the better translators will weigh in with their thoughts, and correct me. Tom

mecox (Mal), thanks for helping with the translation of the right side of the tang. The date was easy, but I really struggled with this part. Thanks, Tom

Wow Steve! That saya is in such great condition, what a prize. I have a very large collection of swords in Army mounts, but so far Zero with ray skin. I'm jealous! congratulations, Tom

Hi Steve, the left side column reads "KO-KI NI SEN ROKU HIAKU NEN" (IMPERIAL RECORD 2600 YEAR ) 2600 years since the founding of the empire or 1940. The writing style matches an oshigata that I've seen for KANEUJI, who was known to use Yasuki steel. I'm having trouble with the right hand column it doesn't seem to make sense to me, maybe one of the better translators will help with that. He was a Seki smith, but this has a Showa Stamp, possibly because of its early date. (maybe Bruce can tell you more) Additionally, the saya is beautiful, and quite rare for Army mounts. Hope this helps, Tom

Good Morning Fred, Your sword is signed "NO-SHU SEKI JU KO-JIMA KATSU MASA SAKU" (Noshu the province, Seki the city, Ju- resident, Kojima- family name, Katsumasa- art name, saku- made by). the small stamp on top is a Seki stamp, lots of posts about stamps on the board. Tom

Hi Thomas, Thanks for the link to Markus Sesko's explanation. I had not seen this before! It was a good read, however, I had to smile when he wrote "But it is not as difficult as it seems..." because for me it is difficult! And Piers, thanks for your great response! So...."kore o tsukuru" as Uwe said is preferred. Thanks to both of you for your input, Tom

Hey Uwe, I've I seen this translated "kore o tsukuru" like you said, I've also seen it translated as "kore wo tsukuru" and "Tsukuru kore wo", and also verbatim as its written on the tang, just "tsukuru kore". Is there a "preferred" reading? I really don't know which one is the most "correct" any more. What are your thoughts? Maybe some of the translators might weigh in? Any help would be appreciated, Tom

To add to what Peter said "SEKI KANEHIDE TSUKURU KORE" Tom

Hello again, I'm not sure how much info you're looking for, but the sword is in SHIN GUNTO (army) mounts. There is a possibility that there is a stamp on the tang, near the habaki (the brass collar) that might also give some further info. The sword appears to be in great shape and is a nice example of WW2 Japanese militaria. Some of the other members may have more info on the swordsmith KANE MASA. Tom

Hi Kyle, your sword is signed KANE MASA WITH A Dec. 1943 date. Tom