WWII Sword

[permlc]

I began learning about swords two months ago, so please forgive any vague questions or incorrect terminology. I already posted on a different forum, but did not receive a lot of feedback due to my ignorance.

 

I’ve been told the signature is Kuniyasu, but which Kuniyasa? I believe there are over 40 smiths with this name.

 

I am very interested in the inscriptions on the mei. I know the last part says something like “eternal good luck in war”.

Can anyone help with the ID of the sword smith and the inscriptions? Please let me know if I posted this in the correct sub-forum.

 

Thank you, Mike P

Mei.pdf

[cabowen]

First of all, you mention on the other sword forum that you have spoken to Jimmy Hayashi about polishing your sword and that he lives 20 miles away from you. For heaven's sake why don't you simply take the sword over to his place and have him look at it? There is no one in the US who can give you a better opinion than Mr. Hayashi and you can't honestly believe that anyone can realistically tell you anything definite from photos.

 

Here is one take: on the face of it, it would seem to be an older sword that has been greatly shortened. The smith's name、Kuniyasu, was signed in a different hand than the patriotic phrase. There is also a phrase meaning "drink blood, chew bone" left of the patriotic phrase that seems to be in a third hand....The inclusion of this phrase is very unusual and the reason the Chinese person was "scared".

 

There are instances of newer blades made to appear like older ones; while this would appear to be an older blade, the steel almost seems both too tightly forged and featureless and the hamon also rather featureless for this to be in fact an old sword. The patina around the signature seems too smooth and fresh as well. On the other hand, it may be due to the lighting and photography. If it is in fact a very old sword, it is most certainly a good one, regardless of the validity of the signature.

 

I would urge you to first show the blade to Jimmy, then, if you require documentation, submit the sword to shinsa for a definitive opinion. The sword could be quite old and valuable, or maybe not. While you will undoubtedly get a variety of opinions by posting photos on the net, in truth, even seasoned experts will not be able to give you any definitive information as to the age and value without seeing the sword in hand. There will be a shinsa (professional sword appraisal) in Minneapolis in October of this year which I am sponsoring. The Japanese experts who will be there have the expertise and experience you will not find elsewhere outside of Japan. If you have any questions about the shinsa, feel free to email me.

[permlc]

Mr. Bowen –

 

Thanks for replying and presenting a few possible theories of what’s going on with the sword. That’s more information than I previously received on a forum.

 

I met with Jimmy Hayashi for a few hours last Thursday. He spent about one hour examining the sword and another hour teaching me how to handle it, oil it, and other general information. His initial thought was the sword was 15th or 16th century, I believe because of the curvature (sori?), but he did not rule out an older sword. He said it was a good sword made by a skilled smith. My notes indicate that he said the temper line was active and the hamon showed “consistent” brightness through the length of the sword.

 

We came up with a plan: Step 1 – initial examination, Step 2 – shinsa documentation, Step 3 – polish if the shinsa results are good.

 

He said he was not an expert at determining smiths by their signature. One of the possibilities was Horikawa Kuniyasu and I noticed a thread on this forum concerning his signature. The forum members were able to produce actual signatures of the smith, which I thought was great, and perhaps they could identify the signature on my sword.

 

I would still love to get a translation of the inscriptions.

Thanks again, Mike P

[cabowen]

Glad to hear you were able to meet with Jimmy.

 

Horikawa Kuniyasu is one possibility though I believe the shape of the blade is not quite correct. If I remember correctly, Kuniyasu worked in Keicho shinto when the blades were a bit broad with extended kissaki. This blade has a small kissaki more like that seen in Kanbun shinto.

 

Here is what is written on the far right:

 

天長地久 国家安全 武運長久

 

Tencho Chikyu means everlasting, enduring

 

Koka Anzen means safety of the country

 

Bu'un chokyu means continued luck with the fortunes of war

 

So the whole thing means something like "everlasting safety of the country and the continuing good fortune in war"

 

I already translated the left side, which as I said, means "drink blood, chew bones".

 

Again, shinsa is the best answer. If you need any info on the October shinsa, let me know....