Personally i have a set of 3 katana's (all at different lengths) with a snakes head for the Manuki (ornament).
The largest has a small engraving on the beginning of the blade which reads:
名誉は、風に流れ、 - Honor flows with the wind
Asking a friend on a traditional Japanese website he told me that this could mean a number of things. It would most likely refer to Japanese Philosophy and how wind represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Wind can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities.
So we came to the conclusion that the engraving speaks off the wielder's journey through life, Flowing with his destiny. He said that the engravings view on honor flowing with life is a little off, but he understands what the maker of the sword was showing. That honor is not something you should seek in life, but something that you inherit on its journey.
Looking at the Makers signature that was left behind it was determined that it was made in the mid 1900's, around 1950-1960. We can tell this as the maker, Tito Kabune died of heart failure in 1973. The snake on the Manuki was most likely added 15-20 years ago because the sword may not have been well looked after.
Well not sure if many of you would actually enjoy reading all of this. I sure enjoy reading some interesting facts about a piece of history.
