Anyone know Japanese? or know someone that does?

[Mugzy]

I have a Japanese sword from WWII and I am wanting to translate some inscriptions under the hilt. I am thinking they say who made it, when and where.

Here are photos that show the markings.









Here is a link to all the photos:
http://www.photographic.org/photos/?a=25

You're right - that's the maker's mark. I can try to translate it when I get home, but no guarantees, pre-WWII written Japanese is very different from modern Japanese, but I'll check my books. When I had some WWII Japanese swords pass through my hands, I was actually able to track down the maker's marks individually on-line, but it depends on how old the sword is, etc. I can't be of much help to you until I get home and to my books, though.

It says "Whoever owns this sword and drills a whole in it will have seven years bad luck"

I would unload it.

Originally posted by [ECR]Irish
It says "Whoever owns this sword and drills a whole in it will have seven years bad luck"

I would unload it.

That hole isn't drilled - it's the piece of the kana (I think that's what it's called) that holds the little bamboo piece that holds the handle together. Every Japanese sword has one..

[Bossman]

Murg...you renaissance man

Originally posted by Bossman
Murg...you renaissance man

Hey, what can I say? Got a thing for swords and things Japanese. I also know some Russian.

Hey Mugzy, think you could post some pics of the temper? Nice close-ups of the grain would be nice..

[Buliwyf]

Originally posted by Mugzy
I have a Japanese sword from WWII and I am wanting to translate some inscriptions under the hilt. I am thinking they say who made it, when and where.

Here are photos that show the markings.









Here is a link to all the photos:
http://www.photographic.org/photos/?a=25

"Beware the Stuka"

[Savant]

wow nice item, probly worth something as well, get yourself some extra fine STAINLESS steel wool, rub as much rust off as you can and oil the blade right away, you need to preserve that blade man.

Originally posted by Rx Scaggy moe
wow nice item, probly worth something as well, get yourself some extra fine STAINLESS steel wool, rub as much rust off as you can and oil the blade right away, you need to preserve that blade man.

Steel wool! This is a toothbrush and rubbing compund job if ever i saw one!

[Bossman]

Get professional advice before trying to work the blade....don't you people watch the antiques roadshow?

Originally posted by Bossman
Get professional advice before trying to work the blade....don't you people watch the antiques roadshow?

Yeah, the condition of the blade is 90% of the value of the sword - you shouldn't mess with it unless you absolutely know what you're doing.

[Camel toe joe]

Originally posted by Bossman
Get professional advice before trying to work the blade....don't you people watch the antiques roadshow?

Thats what i say they always say not to try to fix it up reduces the value most times

[Colonel Ingus]

DON'T TOUCH IT!

Get proffessional consultation before doing anything with that blade. There are blades that Americans aquired during WWII that are worth well over a million dollars.

Depending upon the maker and heritage of the blade you could be filthy rich and not even know it.

Granted thats not always true for every blade but until you can be sure be extremely careful of it.

And keep us updated so we can ask you for cash if you get rich:D

[FarginMofo]

http://www.montanairon.com/translation.html

Originally posted by FarginMofo
http://www.montanairon.com/translation.html

Go with that guy - he can probably tell you 100x more than I can about it.