james skinny Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Hello all. I'm new to this message board and would like some help with a mei I'm trying to translate. I think that I have most of it, but since I've never done this before would like to know from the more experienced posters if I'm on the right track. I'm pretty sure the first two kanji indicate that the blade was made in Bungo Province. The third kanji looks to be "Kami". I am stuck on the last three kanji but believe that the 4th and 5th could be inscribed as maybe 'kosho'? the last kanji I have no idea. Attached are some photos of the nakago and the mei inscribed. Any help, as well as other points of reference to further my knowledge, would be greatly appreciated! James D Quote
Stephen Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 James, the last three are easy what are you using for kanji pages Quote
Mark Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 James glad you gave it a try, good job. Bungo (no) Kami Minamoto Masayasu you might try looking him up and if you do not find information yourself let me know and I will tell you more but I do not want to stop you learning yourself Quote
Stephen Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 LOL mark give em some time hed found it, then hed never forget Masayasu Quote
james skinny Posted June 4, 2014 Author Report Posted June 4, 2014 James, the last three are easy what are you using for kanji pages _________________ Stephen C. Stephen, for reference I'm using what's been posted on this message board by the other members. I inherited this sword from my father who lived in Japan during the second world war. Don't know he came about it, but upon his passing away two years ago he gave it to me. He kept telling me it was an old blade and to do some research on it, but being a full time college student plus a husband and father, I never really had time to do so. I'm currently on break until mid-june and since then I've been putting in some serious hours learning the basic parts of the sword, as well as trying to get a hand on how to read the kanji (neither of which comes easy!). Could you tell me of any other referencing books / pages that would be helpful; I think I may have found a rewarding new hobby! James Quote
Mark Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 Stephen I did not see your post, we were typing at the same time. I figure so many people just ask without trying and James had actually given it a shot so I would help him out. at least he can do some research and learn from that Quote
james skinny Posted June 4, 2014 Author Report Posted June 4, 2014 James glad you gave it a try, good job. Bungo (no) Kami Minamoto Masayasu you might try looking him up and if you do not find information yourself let me know and I will tell you more but I do not want to stop you learning yourself Thanks for the information Mark. Where could I start to learn more about him? Is he the blade smith? Please go easy on me, i'm still very new and inexperienced in this world of nihonto! James Quote
Stephen Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 James dont feel bad as im not used to that kanji for yasu, to me its Kin or Kane, and posted such until i seen marks and did a search. I got a fast edit on that one LOL, Google his name for some info, here are two pages from Alfred Dobrees book, id get John Yumoto book also for his kanji pages. if youd like to PM me your email i can send you kanji count pages i have saved to file. Masa can be like a blocked I (SEE K14 so many ways to do same word, youll get the hang of it, and Minamoto is a standard that you wont forget once you find it once or twice. link broken ...search his full title and images Quote
Stephen Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 http://www.nihontoantiques.com/g46.htm http://www.nihontocraft.com/Owari_Masayasu_Katana.html http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/MAS1267 http://www.choshuya.co.jp/sale/gj/2011/ ... sayasu.htm Quote
Mark Posted June 4, 2014 Report Posted June 4, 2014 James Stephen listed a number of links, if you google the translation you will find a lot on him. If you stick with this you will buy some books that have a lot of information Quote
james skinny Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Posted June 5, 2014 Mark and Stephen, The information is REALLY appreciated as is the resources on how to get a better grip on the kanji reading. I find it more rewarding to do the grunt work myself when looking for some information that I need, you guys have given me some really good reference points. Can the same be applied to the tsuba, and the menuki on the Katana? I look forward to more discussions on this board with you all! James D Quote
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