Translation Assistance

[jct3602]

Hello:

    Could someone help me with the translation on this mei?  Just purchased it, and will receive it shortly; if the seller's pictures are not clear enough, I will repost when I can photo it myself.

 

Yours,

John Twineham

[SteveM]

Right side: 平安 (Heian, in this case a reference to Kyoto, I think)

Left side: 義照造之 (Yoshiteru, the artist's name. After that "tsukuru kore", or "kore wo tsukuru" if you prefer. Together it means "Yoshiteru made this")

 

Check out a wonderful and rare two-sword set of tsuba by the same artist. (The swords are excellent also)

http://www.tsuruginoya.com/mn1_3/f00002.html

[Surfson]

Very nice subject matter.  This is a dragon fish - a creature with the head of a dragon and the body of a fish.  I have a FK set with the same theme.  Very unusual!   

[TETSUGENDO]

Yes, the motif is a Shachihoko (Tiger or Dragon fish) used as an ornamental roof tile symbolizing good luck and acting as a charm to ward off fire.

 

Cheers,

   -S-