ShinShinto Katana with Lengthy Mei

[Rich]

That is a standard way of dating a sword. Nothing really special about it.
Sorry, but the signature is way beyond my meager abilities of translation.
I suggest you post the inquiry on the Nihonto Message Board at:

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/index.php

There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks on that board, many from Japan, who I'm sure can help you. Sorry for my limited knowledge and ability :-(

Rich S

[laEspadaAncha]

Hi Rich,

No worries... thank you for the attempt, and once again, thank you for the wealth of information you have posted on your site.

Re: the date, I get that the date is presented in a common form, but was it common to date one's work to the beginning of a period, regardless of the date the sword was completed?

Regards,

Chris

[Rich]

There were certain months, Feb and Aug, if I remember correctly that were considered auspicious dates. But normally the date is just that, when the smith completed forging the blade.

Rich S

[laEspadaAncha]

Well, using the reference material on the Nihonto site to which you referred me, I was able to translate the last two characters on the Mei, "Tsukuru Kore," or "made this."

Thanks for the reference - I have the photos of the Nagako posted over there and will patiently await a response.

Regards,

Chris

[Rich]

Chris -

I see you've already gotten a response or two. I'm sure there will be more.
Sounds like a really neat sword from what I've read on NMB.

Rich S

[laEspadaAncha]

Hi Rich,

Yessir, it does indeed appear to be quite the find. Thank you once again for the recommendation.

From what I have been able to gather, not only was Takahashi Naganobu a well-known Shinshinto swordsmith, but he was unique in that he was left-handed...

Cheers,

Chris