insegnante Posted October 10, 2021 Report Posted October 10, 2021 Good Afternoon Everyone, I am interested in translating this Japanese Surrender Tag on my sword that I have had for a long time. No one seems to be able to translate it because it is written in an old Japanese script from pre-WWII days. I took the best picture I could of this tag. I hope it can be translated for me. Many Thanks, Sergio Quote
SteveM Posted October 10, 2021 Report Posted October 10, 2021 It's not the script (all the kanji on this tag are still in use today). It's more likely the condition of the tag and the folds and shadows and smudges making it difficult to read. One often hears the "its ancient script" excuse as a way of avoiding the embarassment of not being able to read sword tags - or maybe its a way of saying "this tag is too smudged to read clearly", but they don't want to cause you embarassment. Anyway: One Guntō sword Length: 2 shaku, 2 sun Unsigned (spelled wrong, but understandable) This sword belongs to: Chiba Prefecture, Chōsei-gun, Yatsumi-mura the name is too badly smudged for me to read it, but maybe someone here can decipher it. 6 Quote
insegnante Posted October 10, 2021 Author Report Posted October 10, 2021 I thank you so much for your expert analysis. I hope someone can help me with the name. I know absolutely nothing about surrender tags or what they were used for at the end of WWII in Japan. Once again thanks a million. Sergio B. Quote
Brian Posted October 11, 2021 Report Posted October 11, 2021 Simply that when they were ordered to hand over all their swords during the surrender, many of them added these names and addresses in the hope that oneday they will get their swords back. Many were arsenal swords that could never be returned anyways. It's just a "nice to have" with a sword. 2 Quote
SteveM Posted October 11, 2021 Report Posted October 11, 2021 Looks like the first name is Yūsaku (祐作). Can't get the family name. Quote
insegnante Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Posted October 11, 2021 Thank you very much Brian. I am very grateful that you explained this to me. I am a novice at understanding anything dealing with Japanese swords. The Japanese teacher that I asked said that she could not read these words. I am posting them to see if anyone can tell me if this is correct. Quote
insegnante Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Posted October 11, 2021 I thank you Steve M. very much. It is a shame that I cannot find the family that owns this sword. If I knew the city that was on the address maybe I could contact them by this method. Some times during war time people and items get lost forever. I want to than Brian and Steve M for all of the assistance and guidance they have given me. Respectfully Insegnante Sergio-B. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 The circled Kanji with question mark is "Naga". Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 It's only an old piece of sacking cloth, but if you are unwilling to pin it out, get someone to stretch it gently and hold the four corners down so that you can get a clear shot of the characters. Quote
SteveM Posted October 12, 2021 Report Posted October 12, 2021 Also, the Japanese Embassy now helps repatriate war items. Check out the link below https://www.us.emb-Japan.go.jp/english/html/world-war-2-artifact-recovery.html Quote
insegnante Posted October 12, 2021 Author Report Posted October 12, 2021 Thank so much Bugyotsuji for your expert advice. I will follow your advice and pin it out on a cork board. Maybe then I can find the last name of this person. Respectfully, Insegnante Quote
insegnante Posted October 12, 2021 Author Report Posted October 12, 2021 I will follow your advice Steve M. and use this web site to find out the name of this person. Many thanks again for your expert advice. Insegnante Quote
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