Help Translating Mei?

[athomasgcp]

Hello,

 

Looking for some help with translating this Mei. Any help would be appreciated. It’s a family heirloom from my grandfather. Just would like to know some history with the sword smith.

[ROKUJURO]

Athomasgpc,

please sign all posts with at least a first name plus an initial so we may address you politely.

Your blade was made on a day in February 1945. The smith signed HIZEN no KUNI TADATSUGU, if I am not mistaken. You can look up the smith in books about this subject. I think there was a NAKAO TADATSUGU.

If you want to facilitate reading, please show the NAKAGO (tang) vertically (tip up). Photos of the blade in full length and details of tip, NAKAGO and cutting edge are necessary to say more. 

Are there any additional stamps on the NAKAGO? If not, there is a possibility that this could be a handforged blade of some value.

[athomasgcp]

I can post more pictures of the blade itself if this would help?  It was in Shirasaya and the habaki is missing. I would like to get a tsuka and other traditional mountings for this blade. Assuming this was an officer's sword? The Shirasaya is less than desirable condition.

 

I also did not see any other stamps or markings on the tang? This also lead me to believe it is hand forged.

 

Thanks

Thomas

[SwordGuyJoe]

The mei translation is correct and it is likely traditionally forged. The Shōwa hizen group don’t get the respect they should, as they made some good stuff. The date is February, 1945.

[ROKUJURO]

Thomas,

as said above, some good photos would help to say more about the blade. It seems to be made in WWII time, so it is probably an officer's blade. If it was hand-forged, you may mount it in traditional 'SAMURAI style'. But take your time for such a project, and don't let untrained amateurs try their hands on it! 

[athomasgcp]

Here is more pics of the sword. It measures 34.5 inches from end to end.

 

Thanks,

Thomas

[athomasgcp]

The shirasaya is rather crude. Which is why I would like to replace with traditional mountings.

[cisco-san]

Hello,

 

seems to be an nice blade.

 

from Markus book:

TADATSUGU (忠次), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Saga – “Nakao Tadatsugu kinsaku” (中尾忠次謹作), “Hizen no Kuni Tadatsugu saku” (肥前国忠次作), real name Nakao Sanjirō (中尾三治郎), born May 1st 1910, he studied from 1939 under Horii Toshihide (堀井俊秀) and Sakurai Masatsugu (桜井正次) and worked as kaigun-jumei-tōshō, kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

[athomasgcp]

So if the name on the tang is only signed 肥前国忠次 (Hizen no Kuni Tadatsugu) is that the same as Hizen No Kuni Tadatsugu Saku (肥前国忠次作) aka Nakao Tadatsugu??

 

If so, I didn’t realize the Swordsmiths would sign tangs differently. .Just don’t want to get my hopes up if it’s not the same person. It appears that -“Nakao Tadatsugu was a decent swordsmith.

[Stephen]

I t is a decent sword, new saya n habaki is in order. keep well oiled until then.