Samurai sword

[Swords]

Looking for help with translation The tang was cut down not sure why

 

 

[Brian]

Steve, on the main page, there is a kanji assistance chart. Have a bit of a go, I am pretty sure you can get at least half of that, it's not a difficult one.
Starts with province, last 2 are smith name. It's always worthwhile as you start to learn a few of them without even realizing.

[nulldevice]

Someone has taken some sort of abrasive to the Mei as well which is unfortunate. 
 

[Shugyosha]

Steve, 

To give a clue - first two characters = province; next two =  place name ( I’m struggling with this) usual character to indicate what is above and then smith name. Also, for an extra clue, check which side of the tang it’s signed on. 
 

Edit: the nakago mune has been shaved so it’s a bit tricky to read. 

Edited October 1, 2025 by Shugyosha

[uwe]

Place is a prefecture/ city in north Kyūshū. The first character is a bit “freely executed”…

[Shugyosha]

Thanks Uwe, got it now! 

[Bruce Pennington]

Don't worry, Steve.  They started bustin' my chops, too, when I had been doing this for a few years and wasn't learning the names.  I use the JSI page on names:

Swowa Seki Smiths - Japaneseswordindex.com and Brian's index on the Home page.  Using both, I got this one!  After a while, you'll start recognizing some of the most commonly used kanji like

Kane 兼

and

Kuni 国 

For those I can't recognize or remember, I scroll though the JSI page until I spot one.

[Swords]

I will give it a go 

 

 

😊 thanks 

[ROKUJURO]

Steven,

it is a school/tradition that signed their KATANA with TACHI MEI.....