Taisho Era Katana Translation Help

[Rick Nigh]

I recently purchased a "Gen-U-Wine" World War II Katana from a pawn shop.  It seemed to be authentic Japanese manufacture,  Folded steel, and quite good shape for the shape it was in.   The sword has a wooden scabbard, with both side tools present.  The fittings and furnishings are brass or bronze, with what I thought was some polishing on some of the high points.   The Tsuba is square and unpierced.  The overall motief on Tsuba and furnishings is dragons.   What I thought was some high spot burnishing on the dragon limbs and a few other details looks, upon closer inspeciton to be gold leaf.    There are inscriptions on both of the side tools, and of course the tang.   I have been able to decipher the glyphs for "Taisho" and what I think is the date of Taisho 10.   Any assistance from the forum would be greatly appreciated.

[John A Stuart]

What you have here is a replica of very dubious quality. I hope it was not an expensive lesson. John

[Ray Singer]

As John said, there is no doubt that this is a fake. Please see below for clues which can help identify these in the future.

 

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

[Brian]

Not much bears real resemblance to a real Japanese sword. Ask first, buy second.
Get your money back, it is not as presented. You should not see any real folded steel look (damascus style?) and the tang is not too close. The 2 "tools" also bear no resemblance to real kogai and kozuka.
Carvings are amateurish....everything should be meticulously done with nothing rough or uneven.

[raaay]

sorry Chinese fake

[Rick Nigh]

Thank you all for your prompt, if somewhat disappointing replies.   I joked with my wife when I bought the sword that the incriptions probably said something along the lines of "Someone Went to Edo, and all I got was this lousy sword."   For a fake, it does seem to be quite well made, and I do believe it's from the Taisho era.  I don't think I'm going to be melting it down for scrap just yet.   Can anyone tell me what the incriptions actually do say?

[John A Stuart]

Well 東条 is Tojo as in prime minister (shinjitai) and 雄一 is Yuichi, a name and could be an insult. It really isn't relevant and is meaningless. John

[uwe]

Rick,

 

the date means actually “Taisho 18 second month lucky day”...as wrong as meaningless like John already stated.

[raaay]

Rick

 

sorry but if you add another 100 years onto the Taisho date you will  be getting closer to its real age ,

[SteveM]

Next to the date it says

村正妙法蓮華経　Muramasa Myōhōrengekyō  

Muramasa being the name of a famous line of swordsmiths, and myōhōrengekyō is a buddhist sutra, a phrase that is often found on scrolls and other buddhist-influenced work. The one on your sword is using some kanji that are not used in Japan, and are only used on mainland China. Its a strong indication that somebody in China made this. And, as others mentioned above, Taisho 18 is a date that doesn't exist. The Taisho era ended at Taisho 15. The other inscription is another date-like inscription, 大正年作 (presumably "made in Taisho year", but it doesn't make sense without a number, so this is suspicious also. Under that is 亀山千宏 (Kameyama Chihiro) which is presumably supposed to be a Japanese name, but here again the character for Kame (亀) is using a simplified Chinese variant that isn't used in Japan. 

 

In other words, there are red flags all over this item. 

[Rick Nigh]

A Chinese sword that makes insulting referece to H. Tojo.   Who'da thunk it?   Based on overall patina and workmanship I wouldn't be suprised if the sword was from the late '20s.  (Taisho 18 = Showa 3?   1929?)  It's not modern damascus, but in the right light you can see the faint striations from the folded steel.  It IS quite sharp.   The blade needs just a bit of clean up and polish. (I will be getting a proper kit to do that, I'm not a complete barbarian after all.)   It should make a better wall hanger than the average "Flea Market Special"   It may not be an authentic katana, but I find it interesting none the less.  Thank you all for your assistance.  I will be sure not to pass it on as authentic.