Help on Oshigata

[george trotter]

Hi all,

a freind forwarded this pdf to me. Can anyone translate it please...I am not having much luck myself.

Thanks

Mei8104.pdf

[uwe]

To initiate something....

 

Nengo reads:   “嘉永五年壬子二月吉日” = February 1852 , IMHO.

[george trotter]

Thanks Uwe,

At least I got the  KA-EI nengo right, but my poor old eyes couldn't make out the year/month, so thanks for that. I just can't make out the LH column though.

 

I had a good look with a magnifying glass and THINK I can now read the other side of tang....top 3 large kanji are I think  "  ? Hachi Man". (RH column below) MOTOME YAMAMOTO MORINOBU  ?  SAKU...or is it  Yamamoto no kami Nobu ?  saku. 

 

I THINK the smith's mei next to this on LH side column says SAIJOSHIN  YANO TOSHIKAZU.

Looking quickly in Hawley 1981 there is a smith of this name working in Musashi in 1854 TOS 169 on p.860. I am sure it is him as he signs exactly the same as on this tang, (as well as other mei variations).

 

So, in some places, like the YAMAMOTO section and on the date side's LH column, I still am not sure what it says...that's why I need young eyes to check it for me. I will then pass it on to my friend. So, any assistance members can give will be most appreciated.

 

Regards,

[uwe]

Hi George,

 

my eyes are far from being young, like the owner himself 

I will have a second look as soon as possible.

 

However, “八幡” seems reasonable. For the first kanji, I thought “奴” at a glance......

[Jussi Ekholm]

As I was doing the translation and got Omote side I found your sword online. I got (X)八(幡?)  西條臣矢野俊一/ 為山本守信君作 and it seems to be Tokubetsu Hozon sword that is listed at Nihonto AU: https://nihonto.com.au/product/toshikazu-katana-with-cutting-test-and-owners-name-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon/

[Nobody]

妙八幡 – Myo Hachiman

為山本守信君作 – Made for Mr. Yamamoto Morinobu

西條臣矢野俊一 – Retainer of Saijo, Yano Toshikazu

 

嘉永五年壬子二月吉日 – Kaei the 5^th year, Nezunoe-Ne, the 2^nd month, a lucky day

太々土壇拂　山田朝右衛門 – Taitai, dotan-barai, Yamada Asaemon

[george trotter]

Wow, thanks guys...great stuff. That link from you Jussi must be the same sword.  I will pass this info on to him...many thanks to all.

Regards,