Can you read this Japanese or Chinese inscription?

Question

I have a samurai sword my grandfather brought back to the US after WWII and I recently discovered an inscription of Asian characters on the tang (beneath the handle). I'd love to know what it says if you can read the characters. I have been told that the inscription often identifies the place of sword manufacture and the artisan's name who made it.  I would love ANY information or help you can give me! Thank you and five stars for your help!

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6414/014editvertical.jpg

Thank you!

wyoscot · Accepted Answer

I think the charcters are 柴山魚保.  THey don't seem to correspond with any placenames in Japan, but 柴山 is a place in Taiwan.  The sword was made prior to WW2 and Taiwan was under Japanese control from 1895-1945 so this could indeed be where the sword was made.  

魚保 may be the name of the maker but I'm not sure.

PopeJewish · Answer

It's definitely a name. I have no idea what the first kanji is, though. The second is yama å±±, the third is sakana é­ and the last is hou ä¿

honestly, there are no names that are é­ä¿ though, so I really have no idea what the name would be.

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Can you read this Japanese or Chinese inscription?

2 Answers