I recently asked about the origin of a knife I gifted to my dad more than 5 years ago. He's actually gone to find the original box (not an easy task) and discovered a paper bag with 2 small pebbles in it. I apologise for my ignorance but after some reasonable guesses I decided to ask you, knowledgeable people. he sent me a picture.
View attachment 105061
This is the translation of that red paper, the photo of which is sideways. The text is written in the traditional vertical right-to-left way.
いつまでも切れぬご縁 -Itsumade mo kirenai goen
Karma that can never be severed
一生ものと伝われる刃物をお贈りさせてていただきました。-Isshoumono to tsutawareru hamono wo okurisasete itadakimashita.
We have been allowed to present (to you) what is called a Life-time thing.
いつまでもご愛用下さいませ。-Itsumade mo goaiyou kudasaimase
Please use it with caring forever.
古い言い伝えに"刃物は縁を切る”と言われてたそうですが、これを打ち消し、まじないとしてご縁が切れませぬよう切ることのできない碁石を添えさせていただきました。
-Furui ii tsutae ni "hamono wa en wo kiru"to iwareta soudesuga, korewo uchikeshi, majinai to shite goen ga kiremasenuyou kirukoto no dekinai
go-ishi wo soesasete itadakimashita.
There is an old saying that a blade will sever karma, but to eliminate this we have enclosed go-stones as an amulet which a blade can not sever.
これからもあなた様とのご縁が、この刃物と同じく”一生もの”でありたいと、こころからお祈りいたしております。
We pray (hope) that like this blade, our karma will be a life-time thing.
Signed 有次 Aritsugu
Explanation:
The text is written in extremely polite honorific form, from Aritsugu to the new Owner of the knife. The term ご縁Karma is a direct translation of Go-En, but it is generally used to mean "Relationship". Here it reflects the old traditional Japanese concept of a long lasting relationship between a seller and a customer.
Isshoumono 一生もの - Once in a lifetime thing- means any object of very high quality that you can keep and use for your entire life and will not be replacing.
There is an old saying that a blade can sever Karma, so one does not give, say a Really Nice Kitchen Knife Set as a wedding present. It may sever the relationship between Husband and Wife. In today's terms, it sends bad vibes so it's a no-no.
The idea that a blade can not sever(cut) go stones should not be taken literally. Go-stones are not made of Titanium Carbide. The symbolism here is that a Go game can and will go literally forever, so it is said that even a blade (knife, sword whatever) can not sever a go game.
Very cute little paper, much of it pretty old and might go over the heads of young people in Japan today.
Was this paper from Aritsugu Kyoto or Aritsugu Tokyo?
I guess it's too late for a complaint email after this 2020. That ship is sailed!
