Help with translation of my sword

[frank1331]

I was handed down this sword from my grandfather who was in the army and fought in WW2 and brought it back from Japan...

So far if my translations are correct ...

it comes from the "noshu" province or also known as the "mino" province

and the last two characters seem to be "san" and "u"
not really sure

any hellp would be greatly appreciated!

temp image upload

[GHP]

濃州赤坂住兼岩
No-shū Akasaka jū Kaneiwa
Kane'iwa, Resident of Akasaka in Noshū

Noshu was also Mino as you said; today it is Gifu Prefecture.

Your's is the third swordsmith from the top here.


--Guy

[frank1331]

GUY,

thanks for the translation!

greatly appreciated.

can you tell me how you figured out which sword smith it was....

is it the last two are the last name and the previous are the first?

and do any of the characters show a date?


also I have been researching and researching the Habaki... have you seen one of these before ?

hosting image

[Bob Coleman]

There are hundreds of patterns of haqbaki. This one is not that unusual except finding it on a Showa era blade. Evidently it was a special order by the owner. If you look around the internet, you can find information on some of these swordsmiths from the Showa era.

[Stu W]

Hi,

It's easier for an analysis of a sword to be done when the whole sword is shown rather than adding a picture or two at a time. Can you show us the whole item?

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

....can you tell me how you figured out which sword smith it was....

is it the last two are the last name and the previous are the first?

and do any of the characters show a date?hosting image

Hi Frank,

Fair question! I just selected the Showa-era smith . Looking at your nakago again, the rust on it looks to be older than Showa.

I'd like our resident experts opine on the possible age of the sword.

<sigh> I need to stick to ONLY to translations.

Cheers,
--Guy</sigh>

[GHP]

Looking around by googling the Japanese inscription 濃州赤坂住兼岩, I found this one with the same signature, and it looks to be the same style as yours:


The site selling this sword says it is 時代： 江戸 [Edo period] .... but that's a 300-year window!

More photos on the site's follow-on page.

=====
There is a similar inscribed sword dated to about 1593 here



This is why I should SHUT UP! and let the experts get involved. (^__^)


Apologies!
--Guy

[frank1331]

more photos of the sword

image hosting

[frank1331]

Guy, no apologies needed

I appreciate all the help!

below or above.. not sure how this post will place... are more pictures of the sword..

when my grandfather brought back the sword he wrapped in masking tap.. so some of the tap is still on it.

I also have a picture of the hamon and from what i have read......it is a “Sanbonsugi hamon” temper line. This a temper line that “peaks” on every third wave mimicking the tree line of cedars that grow in the mino province.

the outer wrapping appears to be bamboo type of string and skin.. not sure... and it doesnt look like the sword came with a suba.

want to thank everyone now and in advance for all the help... this is item is something dear to me that my grandfather left for me.... he passed away 3 years ago and lived 30 days till his 100th birthday.