nihonto ken korekuta Posted January 7, 2014 Report Posted January 7, 2014 Hi everyone, I just acquired a new katana which I was told was signed bishu osafune ju suke sada saku. there is also possibly a date on the other side but the tang was grinded down during ww2 so its hard to make out. There is also some kanji on the kobutogane in silver which im un sure of. I was told the blade was made in the 1500's, can anyone please help with translation? P.S: sorry about the poor photos and drawings. Andy.W Quote
hxv Posted January 7, 2014 Report Posted January 7, 2014 Andy, I see "Bishu Osafune" but don't see "Ju" or "Saku." The remaining kanji don't look like "Sukesada" at all. I don't think the seller gave you the correct mei reading. As far as age goes, more pictures (of the overall shape and of the tip and of the area under the habaki) are needed. Regards, Hoanh Quote
Surfson Posted January 7, 2014 Report Posted January 7, 2014 Can't see it too well, but looks like Sukemune possibly and the era on the date tensho possibly. b Quote
nihonto ken korekuta Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Posted January 7, 2014 Ok thanks guys, I will try and add some better photos of the tang and of the blade over all. I might buy some chalk or do something to bring up the mei better, any ideas of the kanji on the kobutogane, maybe the soldiers name? I tried to up load better photos hopefully these are better. cheers, Andy W Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 7, 2014 Report Posted January 7, 2014 塩野 Shiono or Shioya 修一 Shuichi John Quote
nihonto ken korekuta Posted January 8, 2014 Author Report Posted January 8, 2014 So the blade might be signed: bishu osafune sukemune (but I think there is more kanji than that), and is the kanji on the kobutogane possibly the soldiers name? shiono or shioya? Its a really nice sword and really light compared to showa era blades I have. I do believe its at least late 16th century as the seller said. it also has a mintamoto clan mon on it. So a lot of information and history with it. If any one else has any ideas on translation of mei and kanji on the kobutogane please let me know. thanks, Andy.W Quote
Nobody Posted January 8, 2014 Report Posted January 8, 2014 I believe that the mei reads Bishu Osafune Sukesada saku (備州長舩祐定作) as you were told by the seller, though there is no ju (住). Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 8, 2014 Report Posted January 8, 2014 Andy, look at the post directly above the last one you posted for kabutogane. John Quote
nihonto ken korekuta Posted January 8, 2014 Author Report Posted January 8, 2014 I did a very rough drawing of what I see in person but my pen strokes are not the best as far as angles. I hope this can clarify things. Ive looked and cant see anything exactly the same but im no good with translation. If everyone agress it's: bishu osafune sukesada saku than im happy with that. Sorry John, you mean shiono or shioya is written on the kabutogane? is it the soldiers name or something else? Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 8, 2014 Report Posted January 8, 2014 Entire name Shiono Shuichi. John Quote
Brian Posted January 8, 2014 Report Posted January 8, 2014 If everyone agress it's: bishu osafune sukesada saku than im happy with that.... If Moriyama san reads it as that, then usually you can be pretty sure that's what it is Brian Quote
nihonto ken korekuta Posted January 9, 2014 Author Report Posted January 9, 2014 Excellent, I appreciate everyone's help on this. Thanks again for all your imput and knowledge. domo arigatou gozaimasu Quote
drbvac Posted January 9, 2014 Report Posted January 9, 2014 I don't recall seeing many shortened blades where they cut the sides of the nakago to make it thinner to fit a tsuka, - especially cutting the original mei almost in half in the process I suppose to get the right size it could have been required but one would think if at all possible the mei should be kept intact ? Quote
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