Confirming My Translations I

[George KN]

Finally got around to trying my hand at translating some mei using Sesko's Swordsmiths on some gunto. It's safe to say I now have a much greater appreciation of the mastery some of you guys have, it takes so long to do!!

 

Any chance you could check my best guesses are correct please?
 

 

 

秀 Hide, Shu

宣 Nobu, Nori

HIDENOBU (秀宣)

Found a similar mei here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/4562-hidenobu/#comment-40614

(義) Yoshi

(光) Mitsu, Hikari
YOSHIMITSU (義光)

Found a similar mei here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/50162-please-help-translate-this-one-got-me-stumped/#comment-522414





(一) Ichi
(則) Nori - this took me *ages* to work out! Feels like its missing far too many vertical lines 
KAZUNORI (一則)

Found another example here which helped confirm it: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/47434-my-introduction-help-with-an-officer-sword-please/#comment-492709


Bonus question if anyone happens to know - I noticed the last sword, the Kazunori, is signed with a katana mei, but has a large seki stamp on it. It is also fitted in traditional nihonto (non-military) fittings but has a brown tassel which I read somewhere was for civilians, and a leather covered saya. Are these showato signed with a katana mei rarer?

Thanks, 

 George

 

[ROKUJURO]

George,

you can make it easier for us to help with nicely focused photos, taken on a dark, non-reflecting background. The 3rd photo is better, KAZUNORI is correct. 

[Shugyosha]

Hi George,

I think that your translations are correct, but if you want to post some better photos that won't hurt - being honest I'm a bit iffy on the "Yoshi" as that's the least clear.

 

I'll leave the bonus question to the military sword guys...

 

 

[George KN]

Thanks Jean and John, and I'm happy with even 2/3 right, that's awesome!

 

Unfortunately I don't have better photos yet, hopefully the seller will get back to me with some.

[Shugyosha]

Hi George,

I thought these might be swords you'd purchased rather than were looking at. In case you don't get a better reply on the bonus question, I wouldn't be paying a premium for a Showato with a katana mei or let that be the defining criterion if you're choosing between them. They're pretty common, if not the norm.

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

George,

You are right about the brown tassel.  It indicates the sword was carried by someone in the civil branch of the military - Gunzoku.  

 

The large Seki stamp was a civil inspector stamp with the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association.  Civil stamped blades, both Showa and Seki, were always katana mei.  Blades inspected and stamped by the Army, were tachi mei.  So, this one is perfectly correct.

 

I'd appreciate a full nakago shot of that one showing the Seki stamp, and an overall shot of the sword, for my files if possible!

[George KN]

Thanks guys, your replies were much appreciated! I was hoping to reply again with better pictures from the seller/s, but they are being very slow about it... (I won't forget Bruce!)

[George KN]

@Bruce Pennington Unfortunately the auction house never gave me a clear picture of the full nakago, and I didn't end up winning it either, but here are the pics I have from them, hopefully they are enough for your data:
 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Perfect, thanks George!