{"id":104771,"date":"2025-01-14T16:51:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T15:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/?p=104771"},"modified":"2025-01-14T16:51:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T15:51:15","slug":"mei-signatures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/blog\/mei-signatures\/","title":{"rendered":"What Mei Signatures Mean on Japanese Blades?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p>Table of Contents<\/p><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-exactly-is-a-mei\">What Exactly Is a Mei?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-mei-on-custom-made-japanese-swords\">Mei on Custom-Made Japanese Swords<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#inscribing-the-mei-onto-the-tang\">Inscribing the Mei Onto the Tang<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>mei<\/em>, an inscription or signature on a Japanese sword tang, typically displays the swordsmith\u2019s name and other information about the sword. However, not every Japanese blade bears a signature, as a swordsmith only inscribes those that meet standards. Additionally, the owner of a new sword may request the inclusion of their <em>mei<\/em> and other details.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"key-takeaways\"><div class=\"key-takeaways__title\"><span>KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/span><\/div><div class=\"key-takeaways__list\"><div class=\"key-takeaways__item\">Both old and newly-made Japanese blades that meet the swordsmith\u2019s standards often feature a signature (mei) on the tang.<\/div><div class=\"key-takeaways__item\">A swordsmith may use various types of mei, typically including one\u2019s name, title, and address.<\/div><div class=\"key-takeaways__item\">The signature on the tang may also include an owner\u2019s mei, date of manufacture, and other information.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-exactly-is-a-mei\">What Exactly Is a Mei?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wakizashi-blade-bearing-the-swordsmiths-signature.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104784 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wakizashi-blade-bearing-the-swordsmiths-signature.png 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wakizashi-blade-bearing-the-swordsmiths-signature-740x493.png 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/600;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A wakizashi blade bearing the swordsmith\u2019s signature and its owner\u2019s name on both sides of the tang. (Above) A mei featuring a smith\u2019s name and title, \u8d8a\u524d\u4f4f\u6cb3\u5185\u85e4\u539f\u7fa9\u7a19 translates as Kawachi Fujiwara no Yoshitane, residing in Echizen Province. (Below) A mei consisting of the owner\u2019s name and other details, \u4e39\u6ce2\u5927\u63be\u85e4\u539f\u5409\u623f translates as Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, the Senior Secretary of Tanba Province. &#8211; Credits: Metropolitan Museum<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>mei<\/em> (\u9298) may include only the swordsmith\u2019s name or other details such as the smith\u2019s title, place of residence, and manufacturing date. In some cases, it may even feature the sword owner\u2019s <em>mei<\/em>, the name of the person who ordered the sword, and other information about their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several types of <em>mei<\/em> used in historical swords. In Japanese sword appraisal, the signature is crucial as it not only identifies the swordsmith, but can also help in dating the blade.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizations like NTHK and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbthk.eu\/shinsafees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> NBTHK conduct formal appraisal<\/a> (<em>shinsa<\/em>) on Japanese blades, and those that bear false signatures may not pass <em>shinsa<\/em>. Since false signatures or forgeries are common, the blade\u2019s authenticity should not be based solely on its <em>mei.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-mei-on-custom-made-japanese-swords\">The <em>Mei<\/em> on Custom-Made Japanese Swords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>mei<\/em> or signature is carved into the tang of Japanese blades. When ordering custom-made blades, the owner may request the inclusion of their <em>mei<\/em>\u2014an inscription featuring their name and other information about their family. An owner\u2019s <em>mei<\/em> is typically inscribed on the back, inside, or reverse side of the tang, while a swordsmith\u2019s signature is on the outside or front side. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Tachi<\/em> &#8211; Worn with its cutting edge down and suspended from the belt, the owner\u2019s <em>mei<\/em> is typically located on the tang side facing the wearer\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/category\/katana-swords\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/category\/katana-swords\/\">Katana<\/a> &#8211; Worn with its cutting edge up and threaded through the belt, the owner\u2019s <em>mei<\/em> is typically found on the tang side facing the wearer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"371\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-signed-by-swordsmith-Yasutsugu-1024x371.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104786 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-signed-by-swordsmith-Yasutsugu-1024x371.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-signed-by-swordsmith-Yasutsugu-740x268.jpeg 740w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-signed-by-swordsmith-Yasutsugu-rotated.jpeg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/371;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A wakizashi blade signed by swordsmith Yasutsugu. The inscription \u8d8a\u524d\u5eb7\u7d99 translates as Echizen Yasutsugu or Yasutsugu, Echizen Province (present-day Fukui Prefecture) &#8211; Credits: Metropolitan Museum<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, the swordsmith\u2019s signature is typically placed on the outer or front side of the blade when the sword is worn. A swordsmith can use various <em>mei<\/em>, typically including their name, title, and address. Signatures vary from one swordsmith to another and may appear in either cursive script or block-like printed styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-tanto-blade-made-by-swordsmith-Gassan-Sadakazu.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104782 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-tanto-blade-made-by-swordsmith-Gassan-Sadakazu.png 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-tanto-blade-made-by-swordsmith-Gassan-Sadakazu-740x493.png 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/600;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A tanto blade made by swordsmith Gassan Sadakazu featuring the date of manufacture. (Above) \u4ee5\u91d1\u57ce\u53e4\u5200\u935b\u4e4b\u6708\u5c71\u8c9e\u4e00 translates as Gassan Sadakazu forged this out of an old blade from the golden castle. (Below) \u6176\u61c9\u56db\u8fb0\u5e74\u521d\u590f translates as Fourth year of Kei\u014d (1868), the year of the dragon, early summer (fourth month) &#8211; Credits: Metropolitan Museum<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.toki.tokyo\/artisan-stories\/yoshindo-yoshihara\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara<\/a> simply uses the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His name, &#8216;Yoshindo&#8217; in two characters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8216;Yoshindo saku&#8217; (made by Yoshindo)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8216;Kokaji Yoshindo&#8217; (swordsmith Yoshindo)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8216;Takasago ju Yoshindo&#8217; (made by Yoshindo living in Takasago)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When the date of manufacture is included, it is often inscribed on the reverse or back side of the tang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"inscribing-the-mei-onto-the-tang\">Inscribing the <em>Mei<\/em> Onto the Tang<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-featuring-a-mei-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104785 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-featuring-a-mei-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-featuring-a-mei-740x493.jpeg 740w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-wakizashi-blade-featuring-a-mei.jpeg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A wakizashi blade featuring a mei, file marks, and rivet hole &#8211; Credits: Metropolitan Museum<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>mei<\/em> or signature is inscribed on the tang after the swordsmith finishes the <em>yasurime<\/em> (file marks) and the <em>mekugi-ana<\/em> (rivet hole). After deciding what to write, the swordsmith brushes the inscription on the tang in red ink. The <em>mei<\/em> is then carved using a chisel and hammer, closely following the inked guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The swordsmith must ideally be skilled in calligraphy and follow the inked inscription precisely to create a permanent <em>mei<\/em>. A unique signature can be created using a fine or thick chisel and a light or heavy hammer. Also, the number of chisel strokes per inch can vary. These details, along with a swordsmith\u2019s individual calligraphy, produce a distinctive signature.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"accordion accordion-sources article-slide \"><div class=\"faq-item accordion__item\"><h5 class=\"faq-item__heading accordion__handler\">Sources Cited<span class=\"faq-item__opener faq-item__opener--dark\"><\/span><\/h5><div class=\"faq-item__content accordion__slide content-area\"><ol>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exquisite Sword Characteristics &#8211; Nihonto<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). NBTHK American Branch. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nbthk-ab2.org\/sword-characteristics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/nbthk-ab2.org\/sword-characteristics\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harada, K. (2009). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=FmLpLkEj1LgC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=Art+of+the+Samurai:+Japanese+Arms+and+Armor,+1156-1868&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjI1KnAx_WKAxXqia8BHQNWJWAQ6AF6BAgIEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (M. Ogawa, Ed.). Metropolitan Museum of Art.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kapp, L., Kapp, H., &amp; Yoshihara, Y. (2012). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=CGZPvLkmP3IC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Craft+of+the+Japanese+Sword&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjP1NjHx_WKAxVuhq8BHc0PBq8Q6AF6BAgLEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Craft of the Japanese Sword<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Kodansha USA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nagayama, K. (2017). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=zPyswmGDBFkC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Connoisseur%27s+Book+of+Japanese+Swords&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjx4svNx_WKAxWZoK8BHREKGjkQ6AF6BAgHEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Connoisseur&#8217;s Book of Japanese Swords<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Kodansha USA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nihonto Kanji Pages &#8211; Commmon Nihonto Kanji<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). JSSUS. Retrieved November 23, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jssus.org\/nkp\/common_kanji.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http:\/\/www.jssus.org\/nkp\/common_kanji.html<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sat\u014d, K. (1983). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u5200\u5263<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (J. Earle, Trans.). Kodansha International.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sesko, M. (2014). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com.ph\/books?id=5w6QBwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=Encyclopedia+of+Japanese+Swords.&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiK0-nZx_WKAxXhj68BHWGREJ8Q6AF6BAgHEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lulu.com.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsuchiko, T. (2002). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=BWy3gx-0PR8C&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%88%8021%E4%B8%96%E7%B4%80%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%91%E6%88%A6:+The+New+Generation+of+Japanese+Swordsmiths+%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E7%89%88&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjtz4Tgx_WKAxWCjK8BHVDIK1EQ6AF6BAgGEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u65e5\u672c\u520021\u4e16\u7d00\u3078\u306e\u6311\u6226: The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths \u82f1\u6587\u7248<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (K. Mishina, Trans.). Kodansha International.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yoshihara, Y. (2012). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=URDQAgAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Art+of+the+Japanese+Sword.+The+Craft+of+Swordmaking+and+its+Appreciation&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjfvqzlx_WKAxU7ZvUHHTeWEqkQ6AF6BAgJEAI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Art of the Japanese Sword. The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Tuttle Publishing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The mei, an inscription or signature on a Japanese sword tang, typically displays the swordsmith\u2019s name and other information about the sword. However, not every Japanese blade bears a signature, as a swordsmith only inscribes those that meet standards. Additionally, the owner of a new sword may request the inclusion of their mei and other&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":104783,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post","6":"hentry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104771"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104789,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104771\/revisions\/104789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}