Trying to ID Japanes Sword Writing

[bbeck]

This writing is on the spine of the sword handle. Can anyone help? It came with a nice grouping.
Thanks!
Bruce

[bbeck]

Trying to ID Japanes Sword Writing

Close up and the grouping it came with (lower left on the second picture).

[GHP]

新発
Shinbachi

田中
Tanaka [a surname]

Shinbachi means neophyte; new monk (or nun); new convert (to Buddhism); perhaps in this instance in meant a "new officer Tanaka".

四
４


--Guy

[bbeck]

Japanese sword writing

Thank you!