Translation help

[Stephen]

This is from a new member, I'm in the middle of some personal matters please help him in the translation. thanks for your help.

[sencho]

神武不　高山刀氏命作

 

shimbu fusatsu takayama katana shimei saku

 

?????????????????????

 

I'm still learning this stuff so I am not sure at all if this is correct,... the big guys will let us know!!!

 

Cheers

[Bungo]

Kapitan, you missed the 4th kanji

 

the 4th kanji means " kill "

 

 

milt The ronin

[sencho]

神武不殺　高山刀氏命作

 

sorry..... thanks Milt

 

神武不殺　

shimbufusatsu

(1st Emperor not kil???)

 

高山

takayama

(name??)

 

刀

katana

(sword)

 

氏命作

shimei saku

(???? made this)

[Stephen]

I was hoping Nobody would add his take on the first part ...something to do with the Emperor?

[sencho]

Ahh... he's obviously gone for breakfast!!!

 

he heh.... The first two characters can represent the first emperor.... then fourth is "Kill" and third is negative form, so "not kill"????

 

Moriyama san.... we need you!

 

cheers

[Nobody]

Hi,

I have just finished my breakfast!

 

Shinbu husatsu (神武不殺): Excellent Budo does not kill people.

Takayama-to (高山刀): swords made at Takayama Forge (I heard they had unique features.)

Ujinaga saku (氏命作): Ujinaga made

[Stephen]

looks to be a very intersting sword...can we read the tsuba kanji...tada at the top?

[Nobody]

They are;

 

Tyu (忠): loyal

Kou (孝): piety

[Stephen]

Moriyama sama your the best.

[Strider]

Thanks guys, I have been wondering about this for years I posted some more information in a post labeled newbie. I will try to find out more information about Takayama forge or Takayama prison as I have seen a similar tsuka on another site

[sencho]

Hi Moriyama san...

 

I was thinking a martial art for the first two Kanji,,,, Aikido style........ but then they also represent or can refer to first emperor... right?.... This is not in argument with what you say but just education for me...

 

Thanks for your translation

 

Cheers

Nigel

[Strider]

This has been a great help to me but like all answers it has led to more questions. If this blade was made during WWII, why would it be in a converted civilian saya? If the blade is oil quenched stainless, why would the koshira be civilian and not kyu-gunto? Why is the tsuka stepped down not straight? Is there ever any definite answers? Scott Enloe

[Nobody]

I was thinking a martial art for the first two Kanji,,,, Aikido style........ but then they also represent or can refer to first emperor... right?.... This is not in argument with what you say but just education for me...

Hi sencho san,

I made a brief seartch and found a simple explanation of "Shinbu Fusatsu" on the site below. Please read the 3rd paragraph.

http://www.classicalbudomalta.org.mt/jiujutsu.html

http://www.heartaikido.com/terms.html

 

And I also found its connotation about the 1st Emperor Jinmu as you say. It is based upon a tradition that the Emperor Jinmu conqured from Kyushu to Kinki region without staining his sword with blood.

http://blog.so-net.ne.jp/applemint/2005-12-28

[Strider]

Thank you Mr. Moriyama, I have been wondering about this for years. I have not yet determined the monetary value of this sword but it has great sentimental value because it was a gift from an older friend that taught me a great deal about hard work and self reliance. Because I was so young when it was given to me, I did some things that have damaged the appearance of the piece, although the steel itself is incredibly hard and tough. I have not found anything on-line about Takayama prison forge other than a passing reference on another mei. Does anyone out there know if this was a shrine like Yasukuni or a prison like the Emura-made blades?