Inscription on tanto

[JAL]

Hello,

 

this is an inscription on a small tanto that puzzles me. Anyone who can help? The tanto is a 1945 presentation piece with hozon papers to a smith Kanenari. I edited the picture to make the kanji clearer.

 

best regards 

 

John L.

[Julien]

It looks like 頒御賜

https://katanahanbai.com/katana/kanesaki-marsha-admiral/
Found this website with a blade bearing similar engraving, and the same traduction

[JAL]

Thanks Julien,

 

so now from that website it looks like:

頒 (han) — to distribute, to grant, to bestow
    •    御 (go/gyo) — honorific prefix indicating imperial/august status
    •    賜 (shi) — to grant, to gift from a superior to an inferior
 

which makes sense since it was a gift to Kawabe Masakazu when he was promoted to general.

 

thanks for pointing out the website.

 

best regards

 

John

[Julien]

My pleasure