Katana Mei Henmi Chikukansai Minamoto Yoshitaka Kirimono Dousaku
This Japanese sword was made in the Meiji era. On its stem, the name of the sword and the date it was created is engraved in kanji (shown in part on the top left image). On the main body of the sword is an engraving of a Sanskrit glyph (shown on the top right image) that represents the Fudō myōō as known in Japan, or Acala, translated as immovable noble lord. This engraving shows the prevalence of Buddhism among Japanese warriors at the time and possibility of the influence of Sanskrit writing in Japanese typography.
Engravings on katana sword