Translation required - ASAP

[Jamo]

Hi all,

 

My Grand Father recently handed a sword to me, currently all I know is that it was handed to him by his father-in-law (my Great Grand Father). My first step is to see is anyone can help me out with translation of a piece of material that has been with the sword for as long as anyone can remember. A friend of mine said that it could be a surrender tag, however I have no idea. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I am not sure how long my Grand Father will be around for, I'd love to give him some information.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Mark

[Brian]

Mark,

I cannot translate it right now (someone will beat me to it though) but I can say that is some exquisite calligraphy there!

Looks like a surrender tag, but someone took great care with the script. Interested to know the translation myself.

 

Brian

[Nobody]

I am not sure but it might be a surrender tag.

 

イブ派遣隊 (Ibu Hakentai) – Ibu Branch (I do not know what “ibu” means.)

畑下兵曹長 (Hatashita Heisocho) – Warrant Officer(?) Hatashita

[John A Stuart]

Hi Koichi san, My dictionary gives 兵曹長 as Chief Warrant Officer. John

[cspage]

...and Mark, the next question for you will inevitably be...if you are willing, could you please post photos of the sword? I'm sure any member of this Board will be itching to see what accompanies this piece of calligraphy.

 

Colin

[Bugyotsuji]

Quick question. Why did you write ASAP in the title? :|

[Jamo]

Hi all,

 

Thank you so much for the translations so far and I am more than happy to post photos (just have to wait for the kids to be in bed so I have time). This is the first time I have looked into the history of swords as I only found out about this sword a few onths ago. Any help in how to read it, when I tell others would be helpful too.

 

I placed ASAP (As Soon As Possible) in the title, because my Grand Father's health is declining and it would mean a great deal to me to be able to provide some information to him while he can still comprehend it all. I have no intention of selling, in case anyone was curious.

 

Regards

 

Mark