Refer to Nengô List and Numbers Table on the Reading Mei Page
Tenpô 10 nen 12 gatsu hi (1830 + 10 - 1) = 1839 CE
A day in the twelfth month of the tenth year of Tenpô
Ansei 4 nen 8 gatsu hi (1854 + 4 - 1) = 1857 CE
A day in the eighth month of the fourth year of Ansei
Tenmei 7 nen 8 gatsu hi (1781 + 7 - 1) = 1787 CE
A day in the eighth month of the seventh year of Tenmei
An-Ei 9 nen 8 gatsu hi (1772 + 9 - 1) = 1780
A day in the eighth month of the ninth year of An-ei
As can be seen, the latter three blades are all dated 'a day in the 8th month'. This gives some idea of the variations and distortions encountered in kanji, particularly when the smith has used a cursive style. Note also the distortion in An between Date Two and Date Four, and compare nen, gatsu and hi in each.
Back to Nengô PageBack
to Site Guide