Please Help With Translation

[nmCollector]

Hi,

 

I just purchased this swod and would like to know what the mei says. I will try to figure it out myself with the Nihonto Kanji Pages ( http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/ ). However, if someone here can help I would appreciate it.

 

 

Here is a larger image

 

I might eventually add pictures with the translation to my list of Japanese Swords posted on one of my web pages ( http://www.nmcollector.net/WTK.htm ) but only after asking permission and giving credit if the contributor wishes me to state their name.

 

Thanks,

 

Clay

[QuangD]

Hi Clay,

 

The top mei is "To^ to Ju Nin" and the bottom is "Ikkansai Kuni Mori Kin Saku". The smith real name is Miyaguchi Shigeru and his art name is "Yasuhiro" when he is still a Yasukuni smith. Outside work, he signed as Kuni Mori. I hope that help. He is reference in John slough's book page 182.

[nmCollector]

Wow, that was fast! Thank you!

 

Clay

[Nobody]

additional info.

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_022.htm

[nmCollector]

Wow, very impressive.

 

Thanks,

 

Clay

[Henry Wilson]

Being a Yasukuni fan I am very keen on seeing a few snaps of the blade if it is possible.

[nmCollector]

Here are some pictures that came with the sword. I will try to take some more but not sure when I will be able to. The blade definitely needs a polish. There are some imbedded finger prints, lots of scuff marks (on one side), and some other discolorations. However, it does fit my WWII Japanese Sword collecting interest and I will most likely not have it polished - which I can't afford anyway and, since it is made of "western steel" rather than traditional methods, I doubt the Japanese government would allow it back for polish anyway. I think it will have to be enjoyed as it is for now.

 

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Hi Clay,

 

Nice sword you have there.

 

Being made of Western iron doesn't prevent a sword being registered and restored in Japan. In fact, the other Kunimori sword that "Nobody" directed you to is owned by a friend of mine, Ohmura Tomoyuki san, and he is a respected Japanese collector based in Japan so those blades are definitely legal over here.

 

However, you'd probably get failed by the NBTHK shinsa for the Western steel as they've already bounced tantos made by Horii Toshihide, another notable gendai smith, for being made of iron from the cannon of the battleship Mikasa.

 

As to the cost of polishing, I can sympathise completely........two of my blades will have to wait a long time before they see a new polish!

 

All the best,

Simon

[nmCollector]

Once again, thanks for the additional information. Just out of curiosity, what is a ball park figure for a quality Japanses Sword polish in Japan these days from a reputable source with all ancillary expenses included? I'm thinking a little over $1000.00. I searched the forums and could not find anything on it.

 

BTW, I really do appreciate this forum and the obvious knowledge represented here. I just found this forum when I started looking for information on the Kunimori sword that led to this discussion.

 

Thanks,

 

Clay Pryor

[Loki]

I thought it had finally been established that Kunimori blades were not made by Miyaguchi, only signed by him. According to his son, who helped hold the blades while his father cut the signatures, they were made in bulk by a smith in Shizuoka prefecture named Mitsukoshi Hiromasa, using western steel. Apparently they were forge welded, but the exact nature of their construction is not known. They were known to have been made of western steel, this is not in dispute....This came to light some years ago...