Assistance please

[Brian]

I have been asked by a friend for assistance with this one. At work, so no time to tackle it myself (don't think I would get it anyways) so can someone assist with any info please.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Maybe Ikkansai Shigemasa 一貫斎繁正 (Showa smith)

[kunitaro]

Ikkansai Shigemasa 一貫斎繁正 (Showa smith)

 

and

昭和１８年３月

七生報国

[Brian]

Thank you Jacques and Kunitaro san.

Can you translate 七生報国 for me?

 

Regards,

Brian

[pcfarrar]

Can you translate 七生報国 for me?

 

Unfailing devotion to one's country

[kunitaro]

七　7/Seven

生　(re)born

報　devote/reward

国　country

 

Pronounced "Shichi sho ho koku" popular slogan at w2 war time.

i believe that is from the word of Kusunoki Masashige, and Hagakure is also saying similar word.

[Brian]

Ah! I know the slogan, didn't recognise the kanji. Stephen had that on his sword, well known patriotic slogan during WW2.

Thank you both, will pass on the info.

 

Brian

[Stephen]

mine said Shichi Sai ho koku

[cabowen]

Sakai Shigemasa was one of the so-called "Three Birds" along with Miyaguchi Toshihiro and Tsukamoto Okimasa. They were considered the best students of Kasama Shigetsugu. He was a good smith and I would bet the blade is quite nice. I believe he was a post war Mukansa. He used a different kanji for masa after the war.

[george trotter]

I've seen the slogan translated as "(I would give) 7 lives to protect the country"

Regards,

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

According to some sources, the quote 七生報國 may be attributed to Kusunoki Masasue, (Kusunoki Masashige's brother) at the battle of Minatogawa.

 

Cheers