extensive tachi mei. Need assistance

[mercierarmory]

Hello all,

It's been awhile since I've posted here, but I am attempting to help a friend with a translation on a sword of his Grandfathers brought back during the war. It is a decent looking tachi, but it believe to be dated 1871. The mei is quite extensive on both sides and I'm having a heck of a time with it. Can anyone identify what this might say? These pictures are the mei on the one side. It is quite long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mercierarmory]

Here is the opposite side with a stamp/seal that has me a little confused. Could someone possibly explain that?

 

Mike

[John A Stuart]

Until a better response on this not so easy mei. 'Bishu no ? yama Ju Nobuyoshi'. I'm sure I have got some wrong. John

[Nobody]

[Omote]

以誠義報皇國 – With faith and loyalty, serve the Empire.

明治三年二月日 (Meiji 3 nen 2 gatsu hi) - Feb. 1870

備州之産岡嵜吉吾道美仍好鍛之 – This was well forged by 岡嵜吉吾道美 (Okazaki Kichigo Michiyoshi?; I am unsure about this part) from Bishu.

 

[ura]

備州岡山住逸見竹貫齋藤原義隆 (Bishu Okayama ju Itsumi Chikukansai Fujjiwara Yoshitaka)

 

Itsumi Yoshitaka is a big name during Edo-Meiji era, and Chikukansai is his art name. However; AFAIK, the genuine Yoshitaka did not use Fujiwara (藤原) but Minamoto (源). :?

[John A Stuart]

You never fail to amaze me, Moriyama san. John

[mercierarmory]

My hat is off to you, Sir!

 

Not being versed in kanji, I am just impressed I was able to get close to the date. You however nailed it!

 

My only question now is about the seal. What does that signify?

 

Here are pictures of the sword in question

 

Mike

[loiner1965]

agree with john that Moriyama san is superb at reading kanji and is valuable to this forum...my only advice is to read grey doffin post on sword care and preserve it.

[Nobody]

......

My only question now is about the seal. What does that signify?

.......

As only a guess;

鎮国 (Chinkoku) – keeping the nation tranquil

[mercierarmory]

I just received my new shirasaya from Fred Lohman for the sword. I procrastinated quite a bit, but finally sent it off to get completed. I am so happy with it and he also had a new habaki made (the old one was loose and didn't fit well). At some point I hope to have it polished, but in the meantime I will continue to determine the origin of the maker and have it proudly displayed at my home. Since the initial discussion about the translation, I have not found anything else about him.

 

Mike