Chris1980 Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 Hello Everyone, Here is another sword that was found in type 98 mounts, and it appears that the blade was made in February 1668. Have I translated this Mei correctly? Does this Mei appear Gimei? i 4 Quote
Nobody Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 You are almost correct. However, Kanbon 7th year is 1667. 3 Quote
Ron M Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 I think I read somewhere he had a unique way he wrote his signature so look into that on here as a search as see if its the same or different, I recall it was the kanji for DAIJO he made unique. Best of luck 1 Quote
Chris1980 Posted February 22 Author Report Posted February 22 Thank you Ron, I will check this out. Quote
Chris1980 Posted February 23 Author Report Posted February 23 Gentlemen, Here is another katana that I am having a problem with. It appears that the first character of the mei is Sho-, I am having a problem with the second character, is it -Shin? The third character is Saku and it appears to have been made on a lucky day in January 1935. Am I tracking on this one? Chris Quote
SteveM Posted February 23 Report Posted February 23 正心作 = Shōshin-saku Could be this guy. Needs a closer look to tell for sure. Quote
Chris1980 Posted February 23 Author Report Posted February 23 Thank you, Steve, Before posting I checked Hawley's for ShoShin and did not find a listing for him, so I wanted to check my interpretation. Chris Quote
Nihonto student Posted February 23 Report Posted February 23 If I remember correctly, this swordsmith used to place the place of residence "Bishu Osafune" on the Ura side together with the date and that only for blades intended for temples he used to indicate the residence on the Omote side but it should still be on a single column and not in two as in this case... Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 23 Report Posted February 23 Chris, are you aware what SHOSHIN means? By the way, it is not a KATANA but a TACHI as it is signed TACHI MEI. Quote
Robert de Posted Monday at 11:08 PM Report Posted Monday at 11:08 PM No I am not aware but thank you for elucidating me. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted Monday at 11:17 PM Report Posted Monday at 11:17 PM Googled it: Definition: It combines sho (initial/beginning) and shin (mind/heart), meaning to keep the mind open and ready. Practical Application: It involves approaching situations without holding onto fixed, preconceived ideas or habits. Contrast to Expertise: While an expert may rely on past experiences, a beginner-mind approach encourages questioning, curiosity, and seeing things as if for the first time. so, was this an art name adopted by a real sword, Smith? Or was it meant to be a spiritual slogan? Shoshin is often applied in martial arts, daily learning, and personal development to maintain humility and a "growth mindset Quote
SteveM Posted Monday at 11:32 PM Report Posted Monday at 11:32 PM The post that I linked to contains some more information, but there was a smith named Yanagawa Shōshin (or Seishin, both pronunciations are possible, and I haven't dug deep enough to figure out which one is correct, or if there is a consensus). There was speculation that the smith later added 右 to his name, thus the new name became 右正心 (Ushōshin, or Useishin). There have been a few swords with this signature on them posted to NMB. Not a great deal of info on this smith, so its all a bit murky. 3 1 Quote
Chris1980 Posted Tuesday at 12:59 AM Author Report Posted Tuesday at 12:59 AM Gentlemen, Thank you for your help on this one, I appreciate it! 1 Quote
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