mecox

Minoru, more material on Kanehisa in Downloads file:

Looks like it may have a remnant of leather securing strap on upper tsuba (the tsuka side) ?

Eden, it is most likely Kaneko Magoroko KANEMOTO from Seki. He was born in 1924 , trained as a smith and earlier signed Kaneko. In 1944 he became the 27th gen Kanemoto and from then signed 兼元. The hamon of the blade is the classic sanbonsugi of the Seki/Mino smiths that his line used. Your sword in Naval mounted kaigunto and he was known to produce for the Navy. See info and examples in NMB Downloads: Gifu Swordsmiths and also Naval Swordsmiths Part 2.

@Shortstack227 Alexander, your sword is 濃州住兼明作之 Noshu ju Kaneaki saku kore There are three wartime smiths of that name, but with a different "aki" , yours is Kuriyama: KANEAKI (兼明), real name Kuriyama Kenjirō (栗山鍵次郎), born in Meiji 21 (1888) December 4, was a student of early school of Watanabe Kanenaga (渡辺兼永) and Niwa Kanenobu (丹羽兼信) and also of Fujiwara Kanezumi (藤原兼住). He lived in Gifu, Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Tochibora, and registered early on as a Seki swordsmith on Showa 14 (1939) October 20. He died on August 23rd 1966. He was ranked in 1942 as jōkō no retsu, and in 1941 exhibition as Second Seat. So he was a very good smith. Be good to see the sword blade. As noted it has a Sho-sakura stamp so not fully traditional made. NOTE: I should have done this before, SEARCH on NMB shows we have had much discussion on Kaneaki.

William and Rob, hard to know circumstances. (the surrender of Japan was announced by Emperor Hirohito on August 15, 1945) Hibino Ichiji (日比野一二) was born: Taisho 6 (1917) May 6 Reg. Seki tosho: 1942, Sept 10 Address 1942: Oyama, Tomida-mura. Died 1945, August 20 (age 28). Meiirin Sangyo Co Ltd has a sword for sale, also with this text (translation): Originally, it is a valuable sword that should be displayed in a museum in Seki City. Kindo swordsmith, whose real name is Ichiji Hibino, was born on May 6, Taisho 6, and lives in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. On August 20, Showa 20, he was a brave martyr of the Showa Restoration who took responsibility for Japan's defeat and judged himself at the age of 29 on August 20, Showa 20. At that time, many martyrs felt responsible for Japan's defeat in the war on August 15, Showa 20, and went to the square in front of the Imperial Palace or the Imperial Palace to apologize to the Emperor. The creator of this sword, Kindo swordsmith, is also a brave man in the spirit of bushido. It's a shame to think how many wonderful Japan swords he would have made if he had been resurrected as a swordsmith after the war The mei Is Kinmichi and date appears to be Showa 18 (1943) September

Can you post pics of whole sword and fittings? cheers

KINMICHI (金道), real name Hibino Ichiji (日比野一二), born May 6th 1917, he worked as guntō smith and died August 20th 1945. Seki stamp

After looking further....this is MASAYUKI (正行), but I dont think it is Miwa Tomoo (三輪友雄), born August 8th 1895. As he used taka-no- ha yasurime and was mostly before 1943. Here is similar example from Japanese Sword Index

Brass shingunto tsuba (one side slightly filed) with pair copper seppa Shingunto kabutogane with brass sarute (good condition) Shingunto fuchi with offset hole Pair black gunto sakura menuki (well made reproductions) 2 x gold transfers of mon Price for lot: AUD150 plus shipping (standard air mail to US with tracking AUD30). (Paypal)

Anthony, looks to be YOSHIKUNI 義国: real name Esaka Masao (江坂正男). Born Meiji 33 (1900) May 26. Reg. Showa 17 (1942) August 24 (age 42). (“Esaka Yoshikuni” SEKI) He lived in Gifu, Kamo-gun, Tomita-mura. [Slough p.197]

@SouTex Curtis, as noted your mei looks to read "Noshu Seki ju nin Kanemitsu Saku" ( 濃州関住入兼光作) (made by Kanemitsu a person living in Seki in Mino (Gifu)). (The kanji read "seki" looks odd, and more like "warai" 笑 which does not make sense to me, but it was read that way by F&G in 1983). Kanemitsu is a common smith name with at least seven in wartime Seki, but of these only three have this kanji 兼光 and one (Yamada Kanemitsu 1877-1935) died pre-war . Most likely yours is one of these, but probably is Goto who produced some very good work. (examples given). KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Gotō Shōzō (also read as Matsuzo) (後藤 松蔵), student of Kanenaga (兼永), born Meiji 20 (1887) July 20. Registered as Seki smith in early period on Showa 14 (1939) October 26. He became a rikugun-jumei-tōshō and in 1942 Banzuke was ranked as Joko no Retsu (5/7). He died in Showa 32 (1957) March 18. KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Ogawa Mitsuo (小川 光雄), born Taisho 10 (1921) January 20, registered as a Seki smith in Showa 17 (1942) July 3. Worked as a guntō smith. In 1942 Banzuke he was ranked as Ryōkō no Jōi (6/7). He enlisted or was drafted into army and KIA in Showa 19 (1944) July 8 (age 23). Very little info on him.

@BourbonGuy Chris, as noted the mei is Noshu Seki ju Kanetaka kore saku. He is “Kanetaka” (兼高), real name Matsuda Takaichi (松田高市), from Seki, born Meiji 44 (1911) Sept 11. He was an early student of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道). Note there are around seven wartime smiths with name of "Kanetaka" and of these two have the same kanji as 兼高. The other one is Kuwayama Kanetaka (桑山 兼高) born 1928 and independent from 1942. (but different style of mei and yasurime filing is different (sujikai)). Your smith Matsuda was earlier, he is in 1937 Gifu list, and registered as a Seki smith on Showa 14 (1939) October 26 (age 28). His yasurime is of taka-no-ha. He is considered a "senior swordsmith" of Seki, and in 1937 national report : lived in Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Azanaka-machi. and in 1939 at Seki-machi, Naka-machi (same address?). He had 1 deshi (student) in 1937. He trained from Taisho 13 (1924) under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi) and became independent Showa 5 (1930) May. He is in the 1940 list of trained smiths by Seki Token Kaji Association. However, of note, he is not listed in 1941 exhibition, 1942 banzuke list or 1943 list by NTT/NTS associations, unusual as he was a smith of note. Possibilites are that he died or enlisted (in 1941 he would have been 30). Blades are typically not dated and have taka-no-ha yasurime filing on nakago, and are signed katana-mei. He looks to have been active in the earlier war period producing quality Showato sold through shops and not in an arsenal. His kokuin looks to have "taka". Examples: #1. [Japanese Sword Index (Stein)]: Showa stamp "Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku" yasurime: taka-no-ha. #2: [ikedaart.net]: Showa stamp "Matsuda Kanetaka " yasurime: taka-no-ha. nagasa: 71.2 cm sori: 1.8 cm #3: [ Meirin Sangyo]: Seki stamp kokuin hot stamp "Noshu Matsuda Kanetaka saku" yasurime: taka-no-ha nagasa: 68.4 cm sori: 1.6 cm . #4: [auction yahoo.com]: Showa stamp "Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku" yasurime: taka-no-ha nagasa: 69.4 cm shingunto koshirae. #5: [Fuller & Gregory, 1983]: Showa stamp "Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku" yasurime: taka-no-ha reverse has a dedication: "Ojite Tanaka Shi Motome" (made in accordance to the request of Mr Tanaka), so is a custom work. #6: [Fuller & Gregory, 1983]: Seki stamp kokuin hot stamp. "Noshu ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku" taka-no-ha. #7: [Fuller & Gregory, 1983]: Showa stamp "Matsuda Kanetaka" taka-no-ha. #8: [Chris BourbonGuy]: no stamps reported "Noshu Seki ju Kanetaka kore saku" . takass.pptx

Vincent, SEARCH this site for Akikuni, as there are some others (昭邦), family name Kajimura (梶村),

He is “Akikuni” (昭邦), family name Kajimura (梶村), from Yamaguchi Prefecture (Boshu) . He was ranked Fourth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Exhibition, in 1941 and in 1942 list ranked as jōkō no retsu (4/7). Also in 1943 list by Nihon Token Tanrenjo and Nihon Token Shinbunshi. Interesting as a late war sword. Be good to see the koshirae.

"Noshu Seki ju Amahide saku" but very poorly cut, although they had a production line and various mei. The two Sho/sakura stamps are interesting. The gunto mounts looks like a budget variety.

Chris, WW2 shingunto Type 98 signed "Seki ju Kanesada" and probably early part of war. Kanesada” (兼貞), and given name 吉田 is read (and reported) as Yoshida Sadaichi (吉田貞市), but also as Koda and Furuta. Possibly it was read Furuta. He registered as a Seki swordsmith in Showa 14 (1939) October 27 at age 34. . He was born Meiji 37 (1904) July 5 and he died Showa 49 (1974) May 29 at age 69. He did not make swords post-war. He is listed as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho as Koda Kanesada. Are there any stamps on the blade? He made oil tempered Showato as well as traditional blades. Yours is signed katana-mei (cutting edge up) and looks to be Showato, but could be a custom order. Below are 2 examples from Japan sales sites (they read as Yoshida): Left: mei: "Yoshida Kanesada saku" (as tachi-mei = cutting edge down), dated : Showa 17 (1942) November. length 66.8 cm sori: 1.6 cm. Hamon is straight suguha. No stamp seen. [e-sword, Japan] Right: mei: "Noshu Seki ju Kanesada saku" (as katana-mei = cutting edge up). No date. Hamon more active notare-suguha. No stamp seen. Length: 69.2 cm sori: 1.4 cm [Meirin Sangyo Co Ltd]

Robert, looks to be made by “Kunimichi” (国道), real name Kobayashi Magoichi (小林孫市), of Seki, born March 14th 1901, and died September 4th 1969. He was a wartime smith but did produce some good work. He registered early on as a Seki swordsmith in Showa 14 (1939) October 26. This one has a stamp of Sho in sakura indicating early war and not traditionally made. In 1942 list of 400 smiths he was ranked as Ryōkō no Retsu (7/7) and in the 1941 exhibition was ranked as Fourth Seat. Yours is in wartime civilian mounts. Pic below from Slough book:

@kanemotows6 Scott, the smith is Toki Sukenobu who produced good work. Examples and family history here:

Shoshinshi Fukumoto Kanemune Saku 正資子福本兼宗作 he looks to have signed this way earlier in career

at no extra charge !!

The original 1993 book (new, unused, softcover, 29 x 20.5 cm, 268 pages). Although dated, it is a comprehensive compilation of pre-modern Mino swordsmiths and history with 100+ pages of figures and oshigata, providing a useful English reference and introduction. Supplement is upgraded and a new print, 50 pages, with 30 pages of oshigata plus sword school trees. It has Japanese for swordsmiths names plus 3 pages of kanji commonly used. Set of two books is AUD 50. Standard airmail Australia to USA is AUD 42 (books weigh 0.90 kg = 2.2 lb).

Plenty of examples and variations of "INABA" in this paper:

@xkingz1998 Taylor, Is that the mei you show? Looks like "Inaba" . Here is an example of a s/s kaigunto" maybe a bit similar?

@Lindsay McKenzie Linsay, isn't the pic of swordsman Toshishiro Obata of Shinkendo school of swordsmanship? Shinkendo Japanese Swordsmanship Bio

This is very interesting, but confusing as looks as though there were two "Ichimonji" in WW2 Seki. (1) AMAHIDE (天秀) real name FUKUMOTO HIDEYOSHI (福本秀吉), born Meiji 19 (1886) May 7, and died June 2nd 1973, his tosho name was Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide, lived in Seki-machi, Kanazawa-cho. Registered as Seki smith Showa 14 (1939) Oct 27. (2) ICHIMONJI ( 一文字) ENDO KIMIYUKI ( 遠藤公之) born Meiji 23 (1890) Oct 23 registered as Seki smith on Showa 16 (1941) Feb 9. Lived in Kamo-gun, Tomioki-mura, Miyaji. Not much information about him.