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READING SAMURAI SWORD SIGNATURES
The Samurai sword can have a series of markings in the tang(Nakago) area. These markings are known
as the signature(MEI). While a large number of swords bear some form of signature, it is important
to notice that not all Samurai swords are signed.
Translating the signature found in the Samurai sword can be a challenging task. This section
explains the basics of how to decypher the characters.
TYPES OF SIGNATURES
Most of the signatures are carved into the metal itself. In some of the World War Two period
swords the markings are painted. Most of the time in red or white paint.
Some blades will contain both types of signatures, painted and carved/punched.
Additional markings may include arsenal stamps or the Showa (WWII) era stamp.
LOCATION OF THE SAMURAI SWORD SIGNATURES
The Samurai swords are signed in the area known as the tang.
The tang is covered by the handle of the sword, which is normally secured to the tang
via the use of one or two wooden pegs. Once the pegs are removed the handle comes off
easily revealing the signatured.
Swords can be signed in one side or in both sides of the tang.
FORGED SIGNATURES
unfortunatelly some of the signatures in the Samurai sword may be forgeries. The signatures
that may be faked are normally those of renouned sword makers.
Some of the forgeries may date back to the time when the master sword maker was alive. In
other cases the origin is more modern. The forgeries are normally perpetrated by an
individual wanting to increase the value of the sword.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SIGNATURE
The information that can be obtained from interpreting the signature in the Samurai sword
includes the following: Date, Swordmaker's name (Master), City in which the sword was made,
etc.
Additional stamps in the same area provide the arsenal and period.
SIGNATURE BASICS
The signature is generally composed of 5 or 7 characters. The following section provides a
breakdown of each type.
FIVE CHARACTER SIGNATURE
The following is an example of a tamg that has 5 characters in the signature.
Where the five character signature:
HI - Usually Province name
ZEN - Usually Province name
TADA - Usually the title
KUNI - Usually the makers name
SAKU - Usually the makers name
SEVEN CHARACTER SIGNATURE
The following is an example of a tamg that has 7 characters in the signature
ARSENAL MARKING
Here are some examples of the arsenal markings stamped in the tang. The stamp shown on
the left photo was placed on the spine area.
The stamp shown on the right photo was placed at the base of the tang.
PAINTED SIGNATURES
As discussed earlier, there are times when the sword has engraved and painted
signatures. The following is an example of such case.
ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS IN THE SIGNATURE
There are examples where more characters than normally expected are found.
The signed tang featured here is one of those instances.
One side of the tang has been marked primarily with date related information. The upper section of the
inscription refers to the 2,604th year from the foundation of the empire. It was common for the Japanese to
refer to years in terms where you had to add two numbers to come up with the proper date.
The other side of the tang includes a small saying: "I gladly give my life". Probably a refernce to the
willingness of the soldier to commit to battle until death. The next section of the signature bears the
name of the maker. What is interesting to note is that "Ikansai" was actually the middle name of the maker.
However, it appears that in this case is being used as a first name. His last name was "Kunimori".
The entire set of characters basically states that Kunimori was a resident of Tokyo and he made the sword.
If you have an interest is seeing other Japanese Samurai swords, you can do so by going to our
Japanese Samurai Swords Price Guide
identification guide. Where we cover Samurai swords from all periods.
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