Translation Assistance please

[Jim P]

Hi guys, Would someone be Kind enough to translate this paper, have been told the smiths name is Kaneharu. date ? Thanks,

[Bugyotsuji]

Not easy to read and I am surprised the paper itself is not signed by anyone.

 

What it says is Wakizashi, Mumei, but probably the name in brackets underneath (Kaneharu). No age or date suggested.

 

It is given Tokubetsu Kicho, dated Showa 47.

[Jim P]

Thanks Piers, I will post some photos as no age or date suggested.I think its koto ? no Shinshinto smith listed ? Is it common the paper itself is not signed by someone.

[NihontoEurope]

Hello,

It looks more like a Naginata more than a Wakizashi : )

 

/Martin

[leo]

Hi,

as I read it, the length of the blade is 1 shaku, 3 sun, 2 bu, which adds to about 40cm. On the photo the blade looks longer to me

 

The blade which looks pretty, is unokubi zukuri(naginata naoshi) which is a style often used for swords in the Nanbokucho and Oei period and again in the 19th cent. If it is Koto, it is in exceptionally good condition! If Koto, it might be a shortened naginata, but with the yokote I think it is rather a sword!

 

There were plenty of Kaneharu 兼春 in Muromachi era, some in Shinto and one around 1870 according to Hawley. For somebody holding the blade in his hands, it should be possible to tell the appr. date of manufacture.

 

Regards,

[runagmc]

To state the obvious, looking at the nakago oshigata it's either a ginuine naginata/nagamaki naoshi or it's a copy made to look like one. Either way it looks like a nice piece. Any pics of nakago or boshi?

[David McDonald]

Dear Jim P.

 

The paper is dated 9th day of the 4th month in the 47th year of Showa

or in 1972.

 

I hope that helps some.

 

later

david mcdonald

[Jim P]

Hi Guys Thanks for the thoughts, Adam the nakago is what got me thinking maybe koto. I did not take more photos but will soon.

I don't have Hawley, I had not considered Shinto, only Muromachi, ShinShinto its a bit perplexing that no time or date is specified how common is it to not list a time ? So not much info from the paper it seems. Well if its ShinShinto , its not to hard only one

[edzo]

Hi Members,

If it has a yokote, can't tell for sure, it would be a nagamaki and based upon the nakago, (likely mounted as a katana or wak), it would be a naoshi I think, based upon what i have read.

ed f

[Curran]

Stong belief: Late muromachi or even early Momoyama Mino blade.

Nice looking polish.

From kissaki to the habaki I am sure the nie look as if they are being blown by a wind over the hills of the hamon into the drifts behind.

[nagamaki - Franco]

If it has a yokote, can't tell for sure, it would be a nagamaki

 

No, search old threads, nagamaki designation has been discussed here before.

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

If i'm not wrong, origami says wakizashi, in case of a naginata naoshi origami will specify it.

[Jim P]

Hi Curran,at first thought ShinShinto but just said koto in hand so I think you are right,Late muromachi or even early Momoyama and your remark (the nie look as if they are being blown by a wind over the hills of the hamon into the drifts behind.) is very close to what I was seeing it just came alive in the right light you put it just right you do have a way with words :D it belongs to a good friend.

Hi Jacques, just to confirm, will the origami always state if its a naginata naoshi ? and not just say a wakizashi,

thanks :D

[nagamaki - Franco]

I do believe the addition of a yokote line changes the designation [on the origami] ... making it a wakizashi or katana, [without a naoshi designation].

[runagmc]

The way I see it, all naginata naoshi were modified to be carried as either a katana or a wakizashi. The presence of a yokote wouldn't matter. The question is, was this blade originally a naginata that was modified to be a wakizashi (naginata naoshi), or just an uno kubi zukuri wakizashi? And according to what Jacques said, this would be the latter... although the nakago does look modified in the oshigata. Mabey utsushi?