Inside of saya

[Pavel]

Hello All,

 

Hope you are having wonder-filled days.

I have been having a lot of enjoyment studying the Yamato tradition.

Don't know if I have learned anything yet, but it is a lot of fun.

I took the duct tape off an old saya, it had totally been covered with old style black duct tape.

Taking the tape off the saya fell apart, does not look like it was ever glued together.

Inside was this:

This is the inside of one side and the outside of the other, showing two kurikata slots? and a hook?

The top

The bottom, you can just see the tip of the blade cutout.

I am having the hardest time with kanji, and this seems a more stylized script than what I have seen.

Can anyone help with the translation?

Pavel

[Henry Wilson]

This is the best I can do. The ? represents kanji I can't get.

 

安政四年？橋月別？？？

 

邑堆政

 

I hope someone else can help as it is too difficult for me.

[sanjuro]

I think the last one (bottom)on the inner saya cavity is Kore or Saku.

[Pavel]

This is the best I can do. The ? represents kanji I can't get.

 

安政四年？橋月別？？？

 

邑堆政

 

I hope someone else can help as it is too difficult for me.

 

Thank You, I really appreciate any information.

 

I think the last one (bottom)on the inner saya cavity is Kore or Saku.

 

Thanks, in this case 'Saku' means 'made by'?

 

I just received an email from H.A. Watson(translator of the Nihon To Koza).

He said "The writing on the inside of the scabbard appears to be that of the person who reshaped the sword. That was a naginata, and has been made into a wakizashi."

 

The date appears to be a month in 1857, but the name of the month is a bit smeared. The other three kanji appear to me to say BASHOU ARATAMERU, meaning changed by a person called Bashou. In this case, shou ryhmes with show."

 

Guess that would make the sword that was in the saya a naganata-naoshi?

 

 

Pavel