Japanese translation, anyone?

[Lucky Strike]

This is the signature on the tang of a Japanese wakizashi (mid-length) blade:

I've probably posted the photos upside-down, as I don't read Japanese at all - the pencil-on-Post-It beside it is my own faithful reproduction of it. Sorry if it's presumptuous of me to use the forum for this, but if anyone could help, I promise to post some nice sword-pr0n pics of it later.

 

[robin]

I can't help with the translation, but how old is that blade?

 

[HomerJ]

Kouhei. (pronounced ko-heh) - name of swordmaker?

Kou = light
Hei = flat

 

[TKDKid]

Hmm...

光 = light
平 = flat/even

 

[Nantucket Red]

Given the name 光平, the Japanese Wikipedia gives the following entry for a notable Edo-period swordmaker named 日置 光平 (Heki Mitsuhira).

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%...85%89%E5%B9%B3

More information can be found here:

http://www.touken-sato.com/web-gallery/mituhira.htm

I'm not able to give a translation verbatim, as swords are something of which I have not the vaguest knowledge, but it says that he had already become a swordmaker by 1633 and got a notable commission in 1652.

Someone with more talent and more specific knowledge will have to tackle the actual translation.

 

[retronotmetro]

You'll need more complete and detailed images or rubbings of the tang to get info on that blade.

Assuming that the "Kouhei" that NR dug up is the same guy that made yours, here are some images of a Heki Mitsuhira/Kouhei wak that I googled up. Note that the mei (signature) on this one's nakago (tang) is in a different form and location than yours--this has a full inscription down the nakago, with the "kouhei" at the bottom while your images have the kanji "kouhei" right next to the mekugi-ana (peg hole) and don't detail the rest of the inscription. You'd want full-tang images like these to show someone. If you want to find someone who can tell you more, hit up some of the sources on Rich Stein's page.

 

[Huntsman]

That temper is stunning.

 

[Kent Wang]

I like the chrysanthemum.

 

[Nantucket Red]

The chrysanthemum crest with sixteen petals can only be used by the Imperial household, which means the sword pictured was a significant commission. The sources I found mention that there are examples of Mitsuhira/Kouhei swords featuring the chrysanthemum crest.

It will probably be obvious to anyone with a visual literacy of Chinese characters that the signatures on Lucky Strike's sword and the one posted by retronotmetro differ quite a bit. The characters on Lucky Strike's are quite conventional, while the ones in retronotmetro's pics are somewhat stylized. What this might signify I couldn't guess.

 

[Huntsman]

Yet the Imperial Chrysanthemum is a stamp and an indication of the maker's renown, but I still prefer the temper line as a mark of his skill.

~ Huntsman

 

[retronotmetro]

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

It will probably be obvious to anyone with a visual literacy of Chinese characters that the signatures on Lucky Strike's sword and the one posted by retronotmetro differ quite a bit. The characters on Lucky Strike's are quite conventional, while the ones in retronotmetro's pics are somewhat stylized. What this might signify I couldn't guess.

I took that to mean that either the blade was made by another person who used the same mei, or that the blade is gimei (faked signature). Gimei blades can still be quite good (and even valuable) in their own right as blades.

A skilled sword appraiser (or even a knowledgeable collector) could probably look at the blade geometry and the style of the hamon to confirm whether LS's blade is a Mitsuhira/Kouhei or not.

 

[Matt]

I am quoting this picture....

Originally Posted by retronotmetro

...just to annoy people who are trying to scroll through the page.

Happy New Year boys.

 

[Lucky Strike]

This is very impressive and helpful - thank you both, Nantucket and Retro. The blade seems to be of good, but not outstanding quality, with some nicks and scratches. The patina on the blade and some of the various fittings (mostly gilded sawasa bronze) seems to indicate some age, but it seems this one is at least worth researching properly. I'll post some nice sword pics as soon as I'm back at work.

Oh, and a Happy New Year, all!

 

[skalogre]

That could be an interesting blade. However, check as mentioned Stein's website (retronotmetro knows what he is saying). Also, to be quite honest, you will need significant knowledge to work out if a) the blade is indeed by the smith who's signature you see on the nakago and b) that it would be worth getting restored or papered. The NBTHK verification process can be very expensive and time consuming. I would suggest you look for a Nihonto group in Switzerland or nearby and take it to a meeting; see what they can surmise. As for the inscription itself, a sword could have the smith's signature, have a forged signature, be "mumei" (with no signature), have test-cutting results (those are always interesting) or even commissioning information (although that seems to be much less common than mumei or just signed). You said it is a wakizashi? What sort of length are we talking about? Btw, having nicks and pitting may not necessarily be a problem. Now, active rust could be a serious problem. I would highly recommend as an intermediary measure oiling it very lightly ideally with choji oil or if you have no access to it, plain unscented mineral oil (choji is basically a tiny part of clove oil and the rest mineral oil). Do not use any polish or restorative agents, of course

P.p.s. having a nihonto can be somewhat analogous to having an old exotic car. Keeping the thing in good shape can be expensive and time consuming, which is another reason I only occasionally buy koshirae (fittings) and have resisted the urge to buy an old tanto or wakizashi in my (admittedly puny) price range.

 

[Lucky Strike]

The blade doesn't belong to me, so I won't restore or fiddle with it at all, save for keeping it dry and safe. I leave that stuff to the collectors/technical conservers.

I'm very far away from the blade now, but I'll be back with some good photos in a week or so, I hope. Thank you again, all - this has been really good help.