Can someone kindly assist translating this mei for me?

[markturner]

Hi, I am undertaking an in depth appraisal myself of one of my swords, as part of teaching myself about the subject. Part of this is an accurate translation of the mei, which I am struggling with. I have a couple of books with various tables, mostly of smiths names and dates, but cant put the whole picture together. i would be grateful if one of you could assist? I have carefully copied the characters as well as I can, as getting a good photo was proving difficult. I will try and provide one if that is definitely required, but can you see what you make of my copy first?

 

 

the first line is on the inside of the nagako, I think the first two are Ei-sho. The others are the the signature the other side. I know the gist of it, but if someone can put the correct translation to each character, that would be great.

 

Hope you can help,

 

Regards, Mark

[Grey Doffin]

Eisho Ku Nen Ni Gatsu Hi (A day in the 2nd month of the 9th year of Eisho: 1512.)

Bishu Osafune Sukemune Saku.

Grey

[Veli]

Might also be Sukesada, photos of the mei would help...

 

Veli

[markturner]

Wow!! that was quick! Thanks! I will post up a picture of the real thing tomorrow. How easy would it be for you to match each character to the translated word or part word for me? When i tried to match the script to my samples of bishu or bitchu, none of them matched exactly to what I saw on the inscription. Is this just down to individual "handwriting" as we have ? Or are there other more subtle implications?

 

I am going to make up a nicely presented sheet , giving all the information I can glean about the blade, for display, in the cabinet I am making for it. I have the sugata pretty well nailed, ( he says...!) the tricky bit is the mei and the description of the hamon and jigane etc.

 

When I have a rough draft, I will submit for a critique from you guys, together with some photos of the blade.

 

I was told the mei read something similar, but sukesada. I have tried to copy exactly the script, but I guess a photo tells a thousand words. I think I need a better camera!!

 

Thanks again, Mark

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Mark,

At 2nd glance that could be Sada. Mune would be: 　宗　 and Sada:　定 You can check which would be closer.

The Kanji in order read: Ei sho Ku Nen Ni Gatsu Hi and Bi shu Osa fune Suke sada/mune Saku

Grey

[Veli]

Hi Mark!

 

It is the handwriting indeed, but not so much the individual style, but the fact that kanji encountered in mei do not necessarily look the same as their printed counterparts, unless you know what to look for (I am not very good at this). A nice way to start learning is to study the kanji style variation table in the Yumoto's book (the Samurai Sword). The book costs something around 10 bucks.

 

備州 =

 

 

Veli

[Brian]

 

 

Brian

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Very likely Sukesada, Sukemune was an Ichimonji smith (speaking about Bizen smiths).

[markturner]

That's great, thanks. What does the saku mean at the end of the smith signature ?

 

does this help?

 

 

Thanks again, Mark

[Brian]

Saku = made. As in made by.....

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

Without a doubt, after having seen the photo, Sukesada.

Grey

[Jean]

Sukemune was an Ichimonji smith

 

Fukuoka Ichimonji, the first one was a Goban kaji, pupil of another Goban Kaji Norimune (Fukuoka Ichimonji). The second one (his son) was also famous, here is a Juyo wakizashi by him:

 

http://tsuruginoya.com/mn1_3/f00008.html

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

The second one (his son) was also famous, here is a Juyo wakizashi by him:

 

Are you sure Jean ?

[markturner]

Thank you all so much for your time and trouble! is it usual to have the "saku" at the end? AndHapy New year to all, I have been away, so a little late ....

 

best wishes, Mark

[Grey Doffin]

Saku at the end is very common, maybe even a majority.

Grey