Japanese Dress Sword

[taquito22]

Hello Everyone,

I know this is a medals and orders forum, but could someone help me with the translation on this? It is on the blade of a Japanese Officer's Sword. Thanks for your help!

[taquito22]

Someone? Anyone? I hope somebody in this forum speaks Japanese.....

Thanks!

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello,

There are several members who speak Japanese however the problem may be that they are not interested in swords and are just not reading your post.

Give it some more time and perhaps someone with that skill will answer.

I do collect Japanese items but don't speak or read their language, so I can understand your frustration.

Regards

Brian

[Paul L Murphy]

The right hand column is the name of the maker and the left hand column says Showa Year 14 (which equates to 1939).

[fukuoka]

Paul is correct on the left column but incorrect on the inscription on the right. The top kanji reads 'AWARD [GIFT] 贈.' The next two kanji read '短現,' which is an abbreviation for the short service (2-year service) required of the Japanese university graduates. The full phrase is 'tanki geneki shikan 短期現役士官.' The next two kanji may be ichi dan 一團, (一圓??) which could mean 'first group,' but I'm not sure what that signifies. Anyway, what is confirmed is that it was a gift to someone who served, perhaps in the Navy. (Not sure, but I think the above phrase referred to Navy service.) Not a maker name nor a person's name at all.

Edited May 12, 2012 by fukuoka