Terminology for Various Kinds of Mei
Zai Mei 
This term is used to indicate that a blade has an intact original mei
Mu Mei 
A blade which is mumei bears no signature at all
Gi Mei 
A gimei blade is one which bears the name of a smith on the nakago who did not make that blade. Such 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. 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).
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