help with translation

[zak1189]

Hi i need help with translating this kiwamefuda

 

thank you

 

[mywei]

The large characters  - Seishu Iwami (no) Kami Kunisuke 勢州石見守国助

Bottom right - Jidai Kanbun

Bottom left - shoshin

[zak1189]

so what exactly is this as i bought a wakizashi and i came with this

 

any ideas would be appreciated

[Bugyotsuji]

It is a brush-written attestation as to the veracity of the object. Possibly from before the modern system of shinsa paperwork. 

These white ‘papers’ themselves vary in value depending upon who wrote them originally.

[SteveM]

I think the paper is from Hon'ami Kōryō. The Hon'ami family are a long line of sword scholars (and sometimes sword polishers) who used to be the official sword appraisers and polishers for the shogun and the imperial family. Kōryō is a relatively recent person, active in the early 20th century. I don't think there is any concensus on how accurate his appraisals are. The whole paper says

 

在銘　時代寛文　　

勢州石見守国助

長サ壱尺四寸九分余

正真

 

It means 

 

Sword with name inscribed. From Kanbun era (c. 1660s).

"Seishū Iwami-no-kami Kunisuke"

Length of 1 shaku, 4 sun, 9 bu  (should be about 17.77 inches)

Genuine

 

The long name inscription just means, "Kunisuke, Lord of Iwami in Ise Prefecture" made this.