Nihonto research

Mei terms

Zai Mei – This term is used to indicate that a blade has an intact original mei.

Mu Mei – bears no signature at all.

Gi Mei – A gimei blade bears the name of a smith on the nakago who did not make that blade. These signatures are considered fakes. Gimei inscriptions were usually added to enhance the value of a mumei blade or the work of a lesser smith.

Tachi Mei – In general the signature on a sword is inscribed on the side of the nakago which faces outwards when the sword is worn. A sword in tachi mounts is worn edge down. When a sword is held point upwards it has a tachi mei if the signature faces you when the ha (sharp edge) is to the right.

Katana Mei – A sword in katana mounts is worn edge up. A signature is katana mei if the signature faces you when the ha is to the left when the sword is held point upwards.

Omote Mei – The omote mei is the inscription including the swordsmith’s signature on the ‘front’ (outward facing when worn) surface of the nakago.

Ura Mei – An ura mei is an inscription on the inward facing surface of the nakago. This is usually the date the blade was made, but could also be a cutting test or the orderer of the blade.

Niji Mei – This term indicates that the mei consists of the two characters of the swordsmith’s given name.

Naga Mei – A naga mei is a long signature which may include the province, title, family name and given name of the smith.

Sanji Mei – This term is similar to niji mei except the third kanji ‘saku’ – ‘made’ is included.

Zuryô Mei – The zuryô mei is the title given the smith by the Imperial or Provincial courts. Examples are Suke, Kami, Daijô etc.

Kaki Kudashi Mei – This is the term used when the province, signature, date etc., occur on one side of the nakago.

Tameshi Mei – A tameshi mei is an inscribed report of a sword’s sharpness in a cutting test. Such inscriptions are often inlaid with gold.

Kiri Tsuke Mei – This is a memorial inscription. It may note the history of the sword, it’s owner, the name of the person who shortened the blade, the name of a cutting tester etc.

Dai Mei – This is a signature of a smith which is chiselled on a nakago by his family or students, with his permission. It is regarded as a genuine signature.

Dai Saku Mei – Swords made in a smith’s style by his students with his permission were often signed personally by the smith. This is called dai saku mei and is regarded as genuine.

Orikaeshi Mei – Sometimes when a blade is shortened, the original mei is preserved by folding it back to form part of the newly formed nakago. When viewed the signature appears upside-down. This is an orikaeshi mei.

Gaku Mei – In the case of an Ô suriage (greatly shortened) sword, the original mei is sometimes cut out and let into the newly-formed nakago. This is called gaku mei.

Shu Mei – This is a red lacquer inscription applied by an appraiser attributing an ubu, mumei blade to a particular swordsmith.

Kin Zôgan Mei – A kin zôgan mei is an attribution inscription in gold inlay on an Ô suriage nakago by the Honami family.

Gin Zôgan Mei – This is similar to kin zôgan mei except the inlay is in silver. Less often seen.

Kinpun Mei – This is an appraiser’s attribution inscription written in gold lacquer (gold powder mixed with lacquer).