what it means?

[AntonG]

smith: yasumitsu

 

105 kiri -?

[Nobody]

As a shot in the dark, I guess that the writing is the lower limit of its selling price.

I have heard from my father-in-law that he had bought his katana (Shinto) for 100 JPY in early Showa era.

[Guido]

I have heard from my father-in-law that he had bought his katana (Shinto) for 100 JPY in early Showa era.

At that ime the exchange rate was fixed at 360 Yen to one US $ - and one US $ bought you what 12.- US $ buy you now. All in all, a great deal at US $ 3.33 current purchase power! :D

[Nobody]

The story is older than you thought.

My father-in-law was an army officer and he bought his katana before WWII for his use. And the exchange rate was around 3 – 4 Yen to 1 US$ at that era. So, your purchase power must be around 350 US$ or more (inflation factor of US$ must be more than 12), but still a good deal. :lol:

[Guido]

I thought you meant *after* WWII, but in the thirties a well-paid factory worker in the US earned $125 a month. Still a good deal indeed.