Inscription query

[menpo]

Hi everyone.

I'd like to share some pics of a wakizashi I've had in my collection for some time and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it or if anyone has seen similar inscriptions in the past. The signature reads echizen daijo fujiwara kunitsugu as many of you will already know and is dated August 1642 I believe. The signiture looks genuine to my eye but i'm open to opinions. The part I find interesting is that after his mei he states 37 days made, which I presume means tha he took 37 days to make it. I've never come across another sword where the maker has inscribed how long it's taken him to make it. Has anyone else seen an inscription like this? I know that kunitsugu was well known to inscribe that he used foreign steel in some of his swords but never a manufacture time. Also, would this be an average time to make a wakizashi or has he possibly spent more time on it and that's what he's stating? Any thoughts and ideas would be most appreciated guys.

 

Gethin

[Markus]

The term "sanshichinichi" (三七日) has different meanings and does not mean 37 days but three weeks (i.e. 3 times 7 days).

 

First it can refer just to the period of time of three weeks but in this case I think the special Buddhist memorial service is meant held on the 21st day after a persons death (in this respect the term "sanshichinichi" is read "minanoka" or "minanuka"). This special day is connected to the special stages the soul passes after the death according to Buddhism. And in a third context, the term refers also to the 21st day after a person is born.

 

Maybe this sword was made as commemoration of the death of a person in his close vicinity.

[menpo]

Hi Markus.

Thank you for the swift reply. Wow, that really is some food for thought. Seems like i need to study more! Thank you for your help!

 

Gethin