I have purchased a Japanese str8.
Now I need help with a translation.
http://www.jons-swords.com/images/st...zors/sr5ep.jpg
http://www.jons-swords.com/images/st...zors/sr5fp.jpg
I know that the Cat is a symbol of luck I know that the two symbols below are big and west. I know that of the 4 or 5 symbols on the spine the top one I cannot find a match to in any of the Kanji numbers, but the 2 below it are 3 and 0. I think the numbers on the spine are a date and I think the words Big West refer to a forger or metalsmith west of Tokyo or east of Mt. Fuji.
Can someone help? When it arrives I am going to put some clay in there to see if I can lift the kanji impressions out so that I can make out the maker or other information.