Help with translation...

[Adam]

I am just hoping someone could translate the writing here for me. I have taken this to a number of Japanese friends but no one has been able to reliably read it. Obviously this is not an expensive type of knife/sword (just my verbiage shows my ignorance on the subject) but my grandfather brought it and the flag back from WWII where he fought in the Pacific and it would be interesting to know what it says. Any help? Sorry if the pictures aren't great.

 

Thanks in advance for even a partial translation!

 

Adam T

[k morita]

Hi Adam,

According to the writing, the short blade(wahizashi) is Shoshu Akihiro.相 州　秋 広

Could you upload the blade pics?

[k morita]

For NMB members,

 

Explanatory notes; "X" is unreadable Kanji character.

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

The writing on Shirasaya says:

 

相州秋廣、享保二年二月廿六日、於嘉瀬様之、両クルワ平土迄切心極上、切手 貞嶋 X左衛門、見届 中X甚X衛門、XXXXX。

Shoshu(Sagami) province,AKIHIRO(sword smith name). Cutting tested by this blade in Kase(place name) on 26, the 2nd month, 1717.

Good cutting ability,the blade cut off a waist(pelvis),and into the ground.

Cutting tester:Sadashima(family name) Xsaemon, observer: (two parson's name,unreadable).

 

Other side:

刃長一尺三寸有之

Blade length 39.39cm(15.5inches).

[Brian]

Unbelievable and incredible work as always Morita san!

Adam, highly suggest you seek more professional evaluation of the sword in hand. There are plenty of fake signtures and sayagaki like this out there, but given a small chance it is right, this is a big name with a very desirable sayagaki, and needs to be checked out. Could be quite a find.

 

Brian

[Curran]

Big name smith and very interesting sayagaki (writing on wood sheath).

 

Adam, -please treat this one with care and get at least a few knowledgeable people to look at it.

It may or may not be what we call a "sleeper". We don't want to get your hopes up, but they do happen. Seen a few over the years.

[Dick Tait]

Does this say the cutting test was Rio kuruma or Kuramasaki or something else? Seems incredible that a blade so (relatively) short could make such a cut! Just goes to show...

[Adam]

Wow, you guys are amazing. I couldn't have asked for more! Thank you very much. Obviously I am excited but certainly am not getting my hopes up as I'd imagine there is a much greater chance this is a fake. Cool story nonetheless.

 

I would love to get someone to take a better look at it. Do you have any suggestions on where I might go? I live in NYC.

 

And lastly, am I understanding you right that the date implied (assuming it's a real date) is 1717?

 

Adam T

[Adam]

Sorry but could you also look at the writing on the flag? I'd be very interested in knowing what that says as well. I had no idea which way to view the writing so I took pictures of both sides.

 

Thanks again!

[Curran]

Adam-

 

I am in Manhattan for the next few months, on Maiden Lane next to Wall Street.

If you can take any raw photos of the current condition of the blade, please post them.

 

There is a good New York club. They meet near Times Square several times a year, but I don't think the next meeting is until September.

If you and I cannot meet up, then you should hook up with the club.

 

Of the NYC Club, Kunio-san should definitely look at the sword. His knowledge is much broader than mine. I've focuses on certain schools, but am fairly comfortable with the time period that the signature implies. There is another gent who is _extremely_ knowledgeable, but private / protective. It the sword passes initial inspection, I'd force him to look at it. He won't otherwise. This sort of blade would be right up his alley. Warn you that he is the tough oldschool NYC type.

 

There is also a stateside "Shinsa" in San Francisco this August. You could take the time and expense to submit it to that, but on a "big name" I would *really* hesitate. It would almost be reflexive to ding it...

 

FYI: the 1717 is the time period of the cutting test. The actual sword itself is *supposedly* from much earlier.

But before that blows your top-hat, we are accustomed to looking at things up to 1000 years old. Not too uncommon to see a 600 year old blade; but gets significantly more rare at 700, 800, 900...

[runagmc]

Hi Adam, before you go the route of finding someone who can personally evaluate the sword, wouldn't you rather post a few pics here so we can rule out an obvious fake. For the people on this board, it should be fairly easy to get an idea of what it really is after seeing some pictures. Might save you some headache...

[Adam]

All - yes, I will definitely take pictures of the blade when I get back into town. Is there anything other than taking overhead pictures of both sides of the blade? Something I should try to focus on when taking them?

 

And don't worry, I am certain this is a fake. It's great either way for me just because it was my grandfather's and just about the only connection I have to him at this point so I doesn't REALLY matter. of course, it would be amazing if it were real.

 

In the interim, any thoughts on the writing on the flag?

 

Thanks again and I will follow up asap.

 

Adam T

[k morita]

Hi Adam,

Thank you very much for your posting.

The description on the wooden sheath is a supporting actor,and the blade is a leading actor. :D

 

The writing on the flag "In celebration of Sasa-town"(Maybe in Nagasaki prefecture(?)).

[Dick Tait]

Adam,

Judging from what people are saying, I don't think that you should think of this sword as a fake! I think that you should think of the sword as a "potentially" rare and expensive, and give it due respect accordingly. It could be 700 years old.

Pictures that are generally asked for, in order that an initial judgement can be made, are: Pictures of both sides of the overall blade, close up of the kissaki (point of the blade), close up of both sides of the nakago (tang of the blade) to show any possible mei (signature) and a close up of the width of the blade where the polished part of the blade meets the tang.

If the blade is at all rusty, don't attempt to clean it yourself and the tang is meant to be black/brown and never should be altered/cleaned/sanded etc as this indicates the true age of the sword, it is a natural patina.

Please do not do anything hasty, as an ill thought moment could cost you dear. Seek expert advice first, and quantify that advice on here first.

Best of luck!

[Nobody]

.......... Shoshu Akihiro.相 州　秋 広

...............

That seems to be a written error;

Shoshu ---> Soshu

[k morita]

Hi, Moriyama san,

I do not know how to type alphabet with macron sign.

Try search in this forum, both used -Shoshu/Soshu.

Should not pronounce "Syo".

 

I am thinking alphabet with macron sign,Sōshu is near our pronunciation.

[Adam]

I know these may not be the best angles but it's the best I can get from my parents at the moment. When I travel home I will get pictures of the tip unless you can tell me from these that it's not worthwhile to do so.

 

Thanks again.

Adam T

[cabowen]

I would expect, in general, to see a much nicer habaki on a genuine sword by this smith....

[Curran]

Adam T-

 

Get us more photos whenever possible.

Otherwise, arrange to meet with me or visit the NYC Metro Sword Club one Sunday.