Translation help

[reeder3]

I'm assuming it's a date that I'm not familiar with. The first character looks like ta/da and last is 9. Thanks in advance.

[Lampwick]

I'm assuming it's a date that I'm not familiar with. The first character looks like ta/da and last is 9. Thanks in advance.

This is ta-da.

[imperialjapan]

The three kanji look like 内　親　丸, no 'ta' 田 or 'kyuu' 九. (similar but vastly different)
I think you have the kanji wrong, but I couldn't magnify the photo so I could be wrong.

[GHP]

The three kanji look like 内　親　丸, no 'ta' 田 or 'kyuu' 九. (similar but vastly different)
I think you have the kanji wrong, but I couldn't magnify the photo so I could be wrong.

Rich, you have the kanji right.

内親丸
Naishin-Maru

I think this could be the name of the sword, such as 小烏丸 Kogarasu-Maru or 鬼丸 Oni-Maru. 丸 (~maru) is used for ships' names as well as (once in a while) a prized sword.

Click Here for an expanded definition of "~maru"

Partial:
In the 1905 edition of Basil Hall Chamberlain's "Things Japanese" he says of maru "It is often asked: what does the word Maru mean in the names of ships ...?" His answer is:

• the real meaning is obscure
• it is probably merging of two words: maru and maro, which was a term of endearment.
• it used to be used for swords, armour, parts of castles, etc. too.

I just submitted 内親 into Jim Breen's WWWJDIC dictionary:
内親王 【ないしんのう [Naishin'nō]】 (n) imperial princess; royal princess


When I had my sword made, I had the nakago engraved with 小鎧丸 , naming my sword as the "Kogai-maru". This was a pun on my name Guy (鎧 gai/yoroi is ateji for "Guy").

Just a thought......



Cheers,
--Guy

[imperialjapan]

Rich, you have the kanji right.

内親丸



When I had my sword made, I had the nakago engraved with 小鎧丸 , naming my sword as the "Kogai-maru". This was a pun on my name Guy (鎧 gai/yoroi is ateji for "Guy").


Cheers,
--Guy

Great name!

[GHP]

Great name!

Too bad 小鎧丸 was stolen from me by Roberto, a dojo "friend" in Japan [may he rot and burn in Hell].


--Guy

[reeder3]

Thanks guys.

Bummer about your blade being stolen. I do not like thieves...