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NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 22:16:07 -0500
From: "SS" <itaTAKEzuTHISra_da@hotOUTmail.com>
Newsgroups: fj.sci.lang.japanese
Subject: help with inscription on Japanese sword
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 23:16:31 -0400
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Xref: ccsf.homeunix.org fj.sci.lang.japanese:496

Hello -- a friend of mine is interested in antiques and recently purchased
what was described as a Japanese sword.  The authenticity and date of the
sword are both very much in question.  On the sword is the inscription ???
( ? is written with an older version of the radical).  In this context, what
is the likely reading of this name, and does it shed any light on the age or
authenticity of the sword?  I know that the most common "current" reading
for ?? would be ????, but in this setting, I was wondering if the name might
more likely be something along the lines of ???????, (cf., ???? -- ????????.
I know very little about Japanese antiques or swords, and would be thankful
for any feedback that might help my friend better appreciate her purchase.
I have uploaded a small picture of a pencil rubbing of the inscription here:
http://www.jetranslation.com/sword/sword inscription.jpg .

Thank you for your help -- SS