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Drew Gonzalez
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 Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2016 5:33 am Post subject: Samurai Sword |
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I have a Samurai Sword that my grandfather gave me and I am interested in finding out what it says. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Andreas Bornmann
Location: Germany Joined: 26 Jan 2015
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2016 10:13 am Post subject: "Samurai"-Sword |
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Hello Drew,
the signature reads: wo motte Yasuki ko Asanao Kanezane saku kore
Meaning
wo motte = made with
Yasuki ko = Yasuki Steel
Asano Kanezane = name of the smith
saku kore = made this
The small stamp above the signature bears the character "sho", which means it was made in the Showa period (1926-1989) by the use of non-traditional methods and materials. Non-traditonal means, not made from tamahagane and probably quenced in oil rather than in water. Yasuki steel is rumored to be made in an western style furnance = "modern steel" in contrary to the old style steel made traditionally from iron sand (tamahagane).
The big stamp below the signature is the personal seal of the Smith.
Asano Kanezane is a well known smith, working during WWII. I suggest to google him to find out more.
Nice clear signature and good patination of the tang (nakago). DONT do anything to the rust on the tang!
Greetings
Andreas
PS: so the sword was made during WWII and is no "Samurai Sword" ;-) since the samurai class was abandoned by emperor Mutsuhito in the 1870ties
Andreas Bornmann
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Eric S
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| Posted: Thu 03 Mar, 2016 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: "Samurai"-Sword |
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| Andreas Bornmann wrote: | Yasuki steel is rumored to be made in an western style furnance = "modern steel" in contrary to the old style steel made traditionally from iron sand (tamahagane).
PS: so the sword was made during WWII and is no "Samurai Sword" ;-) since the samurai class was abandoned by emperor Mutsuhito in the 1870ties |
Yasuki steel was a high grade, alternative steel produced to help meet the large demand for suitable sword steel while also giving smiths a cheaper, viable, alternative to tamahagane. Swords made form this steel are not considered to be nihonto (traditionally made) as the steel was not processed using the same method as tamahagane.
Last edited by Eric S on Sat 05 Mar, 2016 7:07 am; edited 1 time in total
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Mark Griffin
Location: The Welsh Marches, in the hills above Newtown, Powys. Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 802
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| Posted: Fri 04 Mar, 2016 7:06 am Post subject: |
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This forum is great for the breadth and depth of knowledge that gets so freely given. Pleased to have learnt something today!
Griff
Currently working on projects ranging from Elizabethan pageants to a WW1 Tank, Victorian fairgrounds 1066 events and more. Oh and we joust loads!.. We run over 250 events for English Heritage each year plus many others for Historic Royal Palaces, Historic Scotland, the National Trust and more. If you live in the UK and are interested in working for us just drop us a line with a cv.
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Shahril Dzulkifli
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| Posted: Sat 05 Mar, 2016 6:14 am Post subject: Samurai Sword |
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I guess that the sword Drew's grandfather handed to him is a war trophy surrendered from the Japanese by the end of WWII.
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength”
- Marcus Aurelius
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