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Seal script on small ivory sword

pt1093

By pt1093
in Translation Assistance

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pt1093 Contributor

pt1093

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I recently purchased this 15" long ivory sword for it's artistic appeal.  I am currently trying to decipher the symbols which appear to be seal script. Opposite the symbols is the back and forth circle pattern.  The grip has a three toed dragon chasing the flaming pearl on both sides, which leads me to believe the artisan was Japanese.  I have been able to decipher what I think is "gate"(top left) "tree" (second down left), "leg or legs" (second down right), and "sun or day" (bottom right) using Markus Sesko's book on seal script, but am having trouble making out the radicals and characters.  Would anyone have an idea what this was used for?  My first thought was a hair pin or kanzashi

 

Paul

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Nobody Grand Master

Nobody

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That looks like a date, but I am unsure.

 

上兄吉日

宣和酉年 ???

 

宣和 (Xuanhe, 1119-1125) is one of Chinese era names.

I may be wrong about 酉年, because the year of the Rooster was not included in the era.

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