Nihonto Translations
FAQ
Q1: Can you tell me how much my sword is worth?
A1: No, I'm afraid I can't. The value of your sword will depend on the validity of the signature, the condition of the sword, the quality of the furnishings (if any), and any provenance the sword might have. The signature alone will not tell us the value of the sword. It might give us a hint at the quality we can expect from the swordsmith, but it is no guarantee of value. Depending on the sword, I may be able to give a general opinion.
Q2: I found/bought a sword that has some writing on it. Can you tell me what it says? And how much will it cost?
A2: Yes, if it is a Japanese sword I can tell you what it says. If it is a simple signature or inscription, I will let you know what it says for no charge.
If it is a long, or a complicated inscription, such as a cutting test or a special dedication, it may require some research, and I may charge for the time involved in researching the details. However, most swords just have the name of the smith, his location, his title, and possibly the date of manufacture. Simple inscriptions like this I can translate for free and provide you the English translation over email.
Q3: I have a sword with no writing on it, but the wooden scabbard it came in is covered in writing. Can you tell me what it says?
A3: Yes, if it iss a Japanese sword I can tell you what the writing on the scabbard says. Usually it is an appraisal of the sword (a judgment of who made the sword, and the sword's length). If it contains more detailed information, and you want a proper, written translation of all the writing on the scabbard, I will let you know beforehand the nature of the writing, and if it will cost anything to translate.
Q9: Can you tell me if the signature is authentic?
A9: Probably not. Japanese sword signatures have been counterfeited, often with a high degree of accuracy, for centuries. Some counterfeit signatures are virtually identical to the those inscribed by the actual smith - so even with a vast library of authenticated signature samples, it can be difficult to tell if a signature is a match for the smith. Validating the signature requires a close examination of the sword itself: its shape, the activities in the hamon, the tang, etc. If these elements are representative of the smith, and if the signature is a match for the smith, the signature can be validated. This requires specialist skills, and an in-hand inspection. Currently the gold standard for sword appraisal and signature validation is the NBTHK (Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords).
I may be able to give you my opinion, but I am not a professional sword evaluator.
Q10: I have some paperwork that came with the sword, and it's all in Japanese. I don't know if its worth translating. Can you first tell me what it is before I decide to have it translated?
A10: Yes. If it is a typical registration document, certificate of appraisal, or if it is an older, handwritten letter of appraisal (origami), I can tell you the nature of the document without any charge.
If you decide you want a complete translation of the document, I can provide this for you for a fee. To give a rough idea of a fee for translation of a typical document, I try to keep it around 25 cents per character (Japanese character). A certificate of appraisal from the NBTHK has about 150 characters, so the cost for a full translation of a paper like this would be roughly $37.50.
Q4: I inherited a collection of swords and tsuba, and I would like them all translated. Will you do this for free?
A4: Sorry, a big volume of work is a significant time drain, and I can't take on a big volume of pro bono translation work.
If you are a dealer, collector, researcher, museum curator, or just someone who was lucky enough to come into possession of a volume of items and want them translated, feel free to get in touch and I will give you an idea of cost for translation of your items.
Q11: I think my sword says "Sukemitsu", but I was told there were many smiths who used that name. Can you tell me which Sukemitsu signed my sword?
A11: Probably not. Some schools of swordsmiths contained many generations of smiths who used the same name (Sukemitsu, Kanemoto, etc.). Differentiating between the smiths requires specialized authentication skills and access to a great deal of signature samples to compare with.
Q5: Somebody on Reddit translated my Japanese document, but he couldn't read one character on the document. I don't need a whole translation, but could you look at that one character for me?
A5: Yes, send it over and I will take a look.
Q6: What if you can't translate the item even after looking at close-up photos?
A6: Some items have inscriptions that have been so worn down, they are no longer legible. I will be able to tell you right away if your item is legible or not.
Some items contain the names of people whose identity has been lost to history. Accordingly, the pronunciation of their names are also lost, and the kanji characters which comprise their name could produce several possible pronunciations. In cases like this I will give you the most likely pronunciation based on my experience, and I will let you know the other potential pronunciations.
Occasionally there are items with inscriptions that are so unusual or obscure, they evade my ability to translate. In cases like these I will let you know beforehand of the difficulty, and we can discuss what to do.
Q7: I have a scroll with calligraphy on it. Are you able to translate it?
A7: It depends. My specialty is Japanese swords. Calligraphy is a different domain, but there is some overlap. Contact me with the form on the contact page, and I'll have a look.
Q8: Do you take on longer translation projects?
A8: Yes. If you have a longer translation project such as a book or a collection of items that need identification, contact me and we can discuss the details.
Q12: What do you need in order to translate a sword/tsuba/document?
A12: I need a clear, close-up photograph of the item, without glare. I do not need macro shots. Photos taken from any cell phone camera should be OK. I do not need you to put talcum powder on the sword to try to make the signature "pop", and I strongly discourage from doing this as any foreign substance on your sword may ultimately damage it, and precipitate a very costly restoration.
Q13: I have a flag from World War 2, can you translate it for me?
A13: Yes, send it over and I will take a look. More likely than not, it says 武運長久 across the top (either left-to-right, or more likely right-to-left), which means basically "Good Luck in Battle"*. The rest are names of the friends or colleagues who presented the flag to the person going off to war. If you are looking to repatriate the flag to the descendents of the original owner, there are a couple of routes for you to pursue: one is sending the item to the Obon Society, which is a non-profit organization who researches war items for the purpose of repatriating them to Japan. Another is the Japanese embassy, which should have an email address specifically for the purpose of repatriating war items. I am not affiliated with either.
*Bu-un chōkyū : I have seen discussions on social media where aspiring translators like to dive deep into the greater spiritual meta-meaning of this phrase, but really it's just a good luck phrase.
Q14: I have an unusual request that doesn't quite fit anything I see in this FAQ - can I contact you to see if you can help me?
A14: Yes. Contact me with the form on the contact page, and I'll have a look.