need help with symbols
 

i was wondering if any one could tell me what these symbols on my new katana mean? im not sure if they are japanese or chinese? :) :confused: :vsign:

Definitely Japanese.

Couldn't give you a translation, but I know because I recognize the particle "no" in the first picture, which doesn't appear in Chinese typography.

The second picture, I believe, means power 力　りょく　Ryoku　Power, ability, strength, etc.

Thanks for your help!:ywave:

The symbol above the 'no' is kokoro, meaning heart or spirit...

It's written a bit strangely, but I believe it says "Kekki no yuu wo imashimuru koto", which is a common phrase in Japanese martial arts. It's loosely translated to "be wary of overambitious bravery". In other words, maintain self-control, or something to that effect.

Close. 力　looks a very lot like 刀. The symbol 刀 is just the kanji for "katana".

Kokoro　is 心. That's the kanji for heart. The kanji in the picture, 気 (ki), usually means spirit.