mecox

Pat, the NMB site also has a very effective search capability which is worth trying.

Thanks Thomas, OK I was not thinking of them.

@Hudson Pat, well the mounts look to be shingunto. Pics of nakago not too clear. left one is date: 昭和康辰春　Showa kou tatsu haru Showa year of dragon spring (1940). right one is the smith . Last two kanji are 作之　"saku kore" made this. I will look further into his name. 　 Edits now added. I added an example. Well made swords, initially made in Manchuria, under Japanese supervision then later in Japan. See the newer email by Kiipu

@Fusilier David, as noted smith signed Nobumitsu 信光 on tachi-mei, and date is Showa ju kyu nen ju ichi gatsu 昭和十九年十一月 Showa 19 (1944) November. Late war mounts as noted. Rather quick/rough signature, maybe was left-handed. But an arsenal product and Gi in sakura shows he was from Seki (Gifu) but could be working in Nagoya Arsenal. Its likely the suguha hamon is artificial. There was a Seki smith Sako Shinichi Nobumitsu, born Meiji 38 (1905) June 24, living in Seki, and registered as a WW2 Seki smith on Showa 14 (1939) October 26. He produced some quite good work ,, not sure if him. but towards end of war they were mass producing in arsenals. The painted numbers are 541 which are assembly numbers for the different parts.

@george trotter George, these questions are interesting, and yes you need to ask the tosho himself. I note you followed up Masakazu in March, 2022 and where he died. I also asked my wife (Showa vintage) about 信四郎 and she read NOBUSHIRO. However, several examples I found where translated as SHIN (but thats auto translate). So I dont know! I note that Sesko list for Tsukamoto Masakazu uses SHIN: MASAKAZU (正和), Fukushima – real name Tsukamoto Shinshirō (塚本 信四 郎), born Meiji 33 (1900), he worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō. 1941: 5th Seat 6th Shinsakuto Denrankai. Missed 1942 Banzuke list. He died Showa 44 (1969) February 5. For interest, there are also other Tsukamoto smiths of the period: KIYOKAZU (清和), Fukushima – family name Tsukamoto (塚本), he is also listed with the family name Kasama (笠間). Said to be the older brother of Tsukamoto Okimasa (塚本 起正), 1942: jōkō no retsu (Akihide), 1941: 4th Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai. OKIMASA (起正), Tōkyō (ex-Fukushima) – “Okimasa saku” (起正 作), “Tsukamoto Okimasa saku” (塚本 起正 作), “Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa saku” (塚本一貫斎 起正 作), real name Tsukamoto Shinpachi (塚本 新八), said to be descendant from the lineage of Yamamura Masanobu (山村 正信). Studied under Kasama Shigetsugu (笠間 繁継), later married his daughter. Worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō and got several prices. Died young in Showa 35 (1960) May at the age 43 (or 46). Lived in Tōkyō´s Setagaya district (世田谷), 1942: kihin-jōi (Akihide banzuke), 1941 2nd Seat & Cutting Test at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai. [Slough, p. 139] MASAZUMI (正澄), Fukushima – “Tsukamoto Masazumi saku” (塚本 正澄 作), “Ōshū Iwashiro-jū Tsukamoto Masazumi saku” (奥州 岩代 住 塚本 正澄 作), real name Tsukamoto Jūjirō (塚本 十次郎). Born Taisho 6 (1917) December 14, younger brother of Tsukamoto Okimasa (塚本 起正). Studied under Kasama Shigetsugu (笠間 繁継) and learned also from his brother. Later changed his name to Yoshimasa (?yoshi). MASAMITSU (正光), Tōkyō – “Masamitsu” (正光), family name Tsukamoto (塚本), he worked as guntō smith. 1942 ryōkō no retsu (Akihide banzuke). YOSHIAKI (喜昭), Tōkyō – “Yoshiaki saku” (喜昭 作), “Tsukamoto Yoshiaki saku” (塚本 喜昭 作), “Minamoto Yoshiaki saku” (源 喜昭 作), “Tsukamoto Ikkansai Yoshiaki saku” (塚本 一貫斎 喜昭 作), “Tōto-jūnin Yoshisaki” (東都 住人 喜昭). Real name Tsukamoto Shōtarō (塚本 小太郎), gō Ikkansai (一貫斎). Studied from 1939 under Kasama Shigetsugu (笠間繁継) and from 1940 under his uncle Ikkansai Okimasa (起正). Said to be from the lineage of Yamamura Masanobu (山村正信). Born 1926, early he signed Masamitsu (正光). He died Showa 43 (1968) September 18 at the young age of 42.

Yes Ray has it Munechika 宗近 　　　

Peter, interesting examples of Tempo tsuba, especially #7 (7. 54,2 x 39,6 x 3,9 m). Good luck with sale

Thanks Colin, yes small hole in mouth. OK likely a gift happy item. If of stated material, then I suppose difficult to sell?

any idea of the material? I can see some type of grain elongate to the figure. Or a comment.

@Bugyotsuji @Matsunoki any clues what this is? I have no idea. May be just a fish? Came from Japan 30 years ago, 3.5 cm long.

@ubik Austyn, Fukumoto Kanemune was a Seki smith in the Amahide workshop. Examples and information in NMB Downloads (at top of page) find paper "Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide".

@Bruce Pennington @Kiipu here is an unusual shingunto mount for well known Gifu smith Amahide Yahoo!オークション - 【ASAHI】鍛え肌立つ健全豪壮で美しい一振り 一... 濃州関住一文字源天秀鍛之 Noshu Seki ju Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide kitaeru kore Torokusho (Showa 34 (1959) May, from Shimane) : notes an ura mei of Shigenaga 重長　(not sure if owner). nagasa: 63.6 cm sori: 1.5 cm not sure of fittings kanji and how to read: maybe "Jitsuyou......" practical ?? 　㐧 320020 号 (not sure how to read) Is this some type of patented hanger for gunto saya most unusual hamon

@Bruce Pennington from Chris Bowen "Tokyo Kindai Tosho" (1867-1945) lists: XIII. Tokyo Dai Ichi Rikugun Zoheisho (東京第一陸軍造兵廠) These smiths made swords at the Imperial Army's arsenal factory in Akabane, Tokyo (1943-45). These swords are usually inscribed 'Tokyo Dai Ichi Rikugun Zoheisho'. Others may have also worked here on a part-time basis. 1. Nobutaka (宣威) 2. Kanemasa (兼正) 3. Katsunobu (勝信) 4. Morikuni (守国)

Example sword: Yahoo!オークション - 村田刀 小銃兼正銘 長さ70cm 小烏丸造り 明治24...

Bruce, some background Tokyo First Army Arsenal Jujo Factory Tokyo Daiichi Army Arsenal - Wikipedia 6: Development as a "military capital" and after ~ Oji Takinogawa | Konomachi Archives | If you want to buy or sell real estate, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Real Estate "Army Ordnance Supply Depot Ruins, Inatsuke Shooting Range Ruins" Walking around the battle sites of Nishigaoka, Kita-ku

Tom, this is rather interesting due to the timeframe. Your mei is: Muratato Kanemasa 村田刀　兼正 Sesko lists: MURATA (村田) → TSUNEYOSHI (経芳), Meiji (明治, 1868-1912), Tōkyō. TSUNEYOSHI (経芳), Meiji (明治, 1868-1912), Tōkyō – “Murata Tsuneyoshi” (村田経芳), real name Murata Tsuneyoshi (村田経芳), he was born on the tenth day of the sixth month Tenpō nine (天保, 1838) as son of the Satsuma-samurai Murata Ransai Tsunenori (村田蘭斎経徳), he was the best marksman of the fief and fought among others also in the Boshin War (1868/69), 1871 he was as Imperial bodyguard sent to Tōkyō and was later promoted to a infantry captain, in 1875 he was sent to France and to other European states to improve Japanese firearms which resulted in the promotion to a major and the post of instructor at the Toyama Military Academy (陸軍戸山学校), 1880 he was involved in the development of the first Japanese-designed rifle, after that he was made head of the imperial artillery weapons factory and became a member of the Japanese Upper House, in 1890 he was promoted to the rank of a major general and six years later – in 1896 – he was elevated to the rank of a baron due to his merits in the Boshin War and the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, besides of that, he was also active as swordsmith and the army produced the Murata-tō (村田刀) swords named after him, for the latter, not only tamahagane but also western steel was processed and they were widely used during the Sino-Japanese and the Russo-Japanese War from 1894-95 and 1904-05 respectively, he died on February 9th 1910 of a lung disease. KANEMASA (兼正), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Tōkyō – “Shōjū Kanemasa” (小銃兼正), “Kanemasa” (兼正), real name Murata Tsuneyoshi (村田経芳), he worked for the Akabane Arsenal (赤羽造兵廠)

Will, as Jan notes mei is Nōshū Seki-jū Kanematsu saku. However, its a bit confusing as there is no Kanematsu registered in WW2 Seki, but there are several with Kanematsu as given name. Also some signed Kanematsu Kanetatsu. It was earlier though it may be joint work, but could be the one smith. Not fully sure, but check out earlier posts.

@drb 1643 Tom, yes be interested to know the smith and see mei and mounts.

Tom , date Meiji 26 year 12 month 1st day. 1 December 1893. Less common 20 is "niju" 廿 stamps of "O" and "331"

Tom, this looks to be a really good sword. I think it reads: Yoshu Taijo Ju (Yoshu = Iyo = Ehime). Taira Sadashige saku. Reverse is a memorial for Daitoa Seisen (Great Asian War). See Slough page 150-151. Plus see my paper on Ehime in NMB Downloads with detail of them

@Kristin also to help with your sale he is: YOSHITSUGU 吉次: real name Yoshida Jinrō (吉田任郎). Born Meiji 43 (1910) December 16. Reg. Showa 16 (1941) May 6 (age 30). (“Yoshitsugu” “1944”), (“Yoshida Yoshitsugu”), (“Noshi Seki ju Yoshida Yoshitsugu saku”). see Slough p.202 also see Naval Swords Part 2, in the NMB Downloads (at top of page), other examples.

@NotANinja Rob, PX is a store/retail outlet/supplier for US troops near their bases. They had them for occupation troops in Japan. Immediate post war, 1946, the PX stores were seliing "souvenir" swords that were made of arsenal parts left over. The blades were mostly naval arsenal with anchor stamps or anchor/circle, the tsuba mosly black plain iron ovals shape, and the tsuka bound but often with canvas underlay. The Fuchi/kashira were often mixed army/navy. Bruce has been compiling info on this....its confusing.

@Chris1980 Chris, very little info available: YUKIMUNE (行宗) real name Nakane Yohei (中根与平). Born Meiji 27 (1894) December 25. Registered as a Seki smith Showa 17 ( 1942) March 5 at age 47. Two addresses given: he may have been from Bugi-gun, Miyano-mura (northern Gifu, high country), then moved to city and when registered gave Seki-machi, Tomino-mura. He was reported to also make some traditional swords. Does not appear to be in 1942 Banzuke list. Example: Noshu Seki ju Yukimune kore kitaeru, nagasa 66.9 cm sori 1.6 cm, no date, no stamp. Torokusho certificate is Heisei 28 (2016).

TOSHICHIKA (敏周), real name Yamada Shūzō (山田週三), born May 28 (Meiji 28) 1895, from Seki ,registered as Seki smith Showa 17 (1942) June 28. was guntō smith and died February 20th 1973

@LightningFox0124 Tyler, your sword would not be made of traditional iron or methods, but be a semi-machine made using a "western" style steel, but likely still well made. Its a bit confusing as there are several wartime Kanetsugu. But yours looks like Maekawa Genichi. The attached paper from NMB Downloads gives the context of his work, with examples and also shows the variations in mei and signature style. Also demonstrates some of the difficulties to determine the smith. As a note, yours has 2 holes in nakago, suggesting a remount. What are the mounts?