Tang Translation Please And General Info

[JNT]

Hello and thank you in advance for any help that I may receive.

 

My Grandfather was gifted a sword/katana after WW2 by a Japanese gentleman while he was stationed in Okinawa with the United States Airforce.

My grandfather has passed away and my father and uncle have inherited the sword.

I do not know much about the sword other than it was supposedly a family sword and was carried during WW2 by the man that gifted it to my grandfather.

 

Note: the pictures were taken in a light box without any editing. The LED spots reflecting off the blade may not show how pristine the blade is. No pitting or nicks anywhere.

 

Thanks for any info you have.

[kyushukairu]

Hello JNT

This is a strange example. Usually the smith will sign their name on the nakago (tang) but on this example we are only given a nengo (date inscription).
The literal reading of the writing on your sword's nakago is 'a day in August on the seventh year of Enhō' (延寳七年八月日).  
Enhō' (延寳) was an alterative reading for Enpō (延宝), and which began in 1673. Japanese era's are usually considered to be the first year, so the seventh year of Enhō is not 1680, as you might expect, but would be 1679. Thus, your sword was made on a day in August in 1679.

[Surfson]

It looks like a nice sword JNT.  As mentioned, it is unusual for a sword to have a date without a name of the maker (although the opposite is quite common - i.e. having a name with no date).  It seems that your ancestors have taken good care of the sword and on quick inspection it generally looks like a healthy and attractive sword.  Please take care of this sword.  You can look at the message board and find some links to the care of Japanese swords.  Congratulations on the great family heirloom - in my experience, the swords that were gifted during the occupation are often of better quality and better cared for than the ones that were seized.  

[Peter Bleed]

Looks like the mei was removed. The rust on the side opposite the date seems light and I think I can see evidence of some deeper marks.

Peter

[Bazza]

What a good observation!!  The "mark" right at tang end and spaced further away suggests a kao???

 

BaZZa.

[JNT]

Peter and Bazza, I agree.

I wonder why it may have been removed. Do you know of a way to read it again? Polish, acid etch, photo edit an image?

 

Thank you,

 

J

[PNSSHOGUN]

You could attempt putting chalk powder or doing a tang rub. Photo editing may also reveal fragments of characters but generally when the Mei is removed it's done for a reason, namely fake signatures. Please don't even consider using acids, corrosive polishing agents or attempting a polish by yourself on any part of the sword. Your best bet to find the smith or school of smiths that made this sword is to have it looked at in hand by an experienced collector or submit it for Shinsa.