Nice one for translation

[Brian]

Hi all,

Someone popped past my office yesterday with a sword that ended up in a South Africa army collection.

It had a brief summary that was done in Japan in the 1950's, but no specifics. I didn't have any books or resources handy, so was wondering if anyone can assist with a trasnlation. Shinshinto, looks to have a cutting test on it?

Appreciate any help with this one. Unfortunately, it has been buffed bright, and all sharp edges are rounded. It needs a full restoration, but the price is way out for something that doesn't show a hamon or hada.

 

Brian

[k morita]

Hi,

Maybe, this sword is a Later generation of Yamato-Daijo Kunitake.　国 武

Shinshinto.

 

See Nihonto Meikan on page 1243.

[Brian]

Thank you very much Morita san

I will try and find a copy of that page. Is the rest of the inscription related to a cutting test or dedication?

 

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

I am guessing that Morita San will not post until he is 100% sure of the Kanji which are illegible.

 

There are parts that we can see such as the date and 生　首, with a character missing in between ie Nama 口 Kubi, (生き首？）and '100 蔵' or 100 header??? The last part is 二ツ胴落 Futatsu Do Otoshi, ie two body trunks cut.

[Brian]

Thanks Piers. Apparently this is not such a nice one for translation :lol:

I'm intrigued by the inscription. Is this consistent with a cutting test from around 1867 or so?

 

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

You are probably on the mark there, Brian!

 

Just going back to correct my previous post a little before someone else steps in. Whereas on the right the kanji 歳 is for year, on the left I think it is 蔵　storage, possession, pwned; thus the meaning could be 'This sword has stored up a hundred heads'. Since that middle kanji is still missing though, this is still only a half-educated guess. As to the cutting inscription, or even just the top part, could it have been added at a later date, (without going into too much detail)? I will ask my sword teacher this weekend for his opinion.

[k morita]

A):

If you know your enemy and know yourself, in a hundred battles you will never be defeated.

百 戦 不 殆

[k morita]

B):

May,2 , 1867

慶 應 三 卯 歳 五 月 二 日

 

C):

Human has long life-span of 100 years old.

為 出 生 生 以 有 百 歳

 

 

D):

two body trunks cut.

二ツ胴落

[Bugyotsuji]

Well, I get 20% for facts, and 80% for romance! :lol:

 

Fantastic, Mr Morita. Many thanks for clearing that up!

[Brian]

A big thanks Morita san!

My friend will be very grateful. Great work.

Can anyone clarify what is meant by the 100 year life span comment? Is it a wish/prayer for a long life, or celebrating someone who lived a long life?

 

Brian

[Justin Grant]

How much did the Japanese study Sun Tzu? The "A" reading is very Sun Tzu.

[KarlPeterSmith]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Sun Tzu.

 

I was looking into a HORIKAWA KUNIHIRO student...Kunitake (son is Yoshitake & his tutor Kunimichi) and ended up finding this late 1866 Kunitake.

 

It fits into this thread and I can cross it off what I'm doing.

 

This Kunitake sword is from the previous year (1866) to the one featured above.