Ed Posted August 18, 2006 Report Posted August 18, 2006 ..NEEDED. I recently aquired a small wakizashi with what appears to be a poem or prayer engraved on both sides of the blade. It is done in a mixture of hirogana and kanji. I have translated it (I think correctly), but have no idea what it means or relates to. The only information I have is that it was said to be made by a court noble named Arihira. Supposedly he was a poet who worked exclusively for the emperor, and whose hobby was making swords. Any ideas ?? Quote
Nobody Posted August 18, 2006 Report Posted August 18, 2006 The meaning of the poem seems to be as follows. But it might be incorrect. I really do not have enough knowledge of Japanese classics. "Sheathe the sword, a man should more and more polish his heart." The smith/poet is Chigusa Arikoto (千種有功) in Yamashiro at late Edo period. ShoSanMi (正三位) is his title in court. Quote
Ed Posted August 18, 2006 Author Report Posted August 18, 2006 Moriyama, Thank you for the information, it was a big help. I have seen information on Arikoto as a sword smith, but nothing on his poetry works. Again my thanks. Ed Quote
Nobody Posted August 21, 2006 Report Posted August 21, 2006 I just found a Tanto of Arikoto with the same poem on a web page below. The poem on the blade can be clearly seen. http://sinogi.ddo.jp/sinsin/katarogu/18 ... 34383.html Quote
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