Kiipu

You are correct. I picked the wrong Kanemoto! 兼元 = Kanemoto. 兼基 = Kanemoto.

Here is a picture of another one, credited to Kanemoto. Looks like he added 模 to the mei. Kanemoto

Below are links to two threads about reproduction Type 95s. NMB: Fake Type 95 Nco Swords GBF: Another FAKE Type 95 NCO sword sold to an unsuspecting buyer

Yes, KANE 兼 is a Seki thing. I am sure @mecox, AKA Mino man, knows who the rascal was that started it way back when.

The first sword is a Type 95 (1935) used by the lower ranks while the second sword is a Type 94 (1934) Military Sword used by officers. Alas, both are reproductions that came from China.

A Kanetoshi 兼利 via GregD. Arsenal Stamps. An Amachi Kanenaga 天池包永 via waljamada. Arsenal Stamps.

Page 122 of F&Gs 1986 book entitled Military Swords of Japan, 1868–1945.

A Word War 2 Seki swordsmith. 石原兼直 =Ishihara Kanenao

A Kiyonobu courtesy of a 2014 link by Stephen. Signed Japanese officer's katana and accompanying photo Another Kiyonobu courtesy of Nic. WW2 Katana Mei Identification A Kanesumi 兼住 via sksguide. Ww Ii Sword Translation Contrary to the Blind Bruce, the Kanetada is dated 1942. Waaaay overpaid as usual! Type 98 Gunto - TAN stamped

Still listed as unknown. Marks of the Japanese Red Cross Society Medals

And another from out of the woodwork. Something only Piers would like to look at. Help with Tanegashima Markings

DTM, I think it is a sword made in China during the war. The lower ranks were fond of the traditional style and would purchase them locally. There are plenty of pictures of them carrying such swords. See the second picture down from the top. That's my story and I am sticking to it! 白兵 Picture translation via Google Translate. 昭和十四年に支那大陸で写されたプライベートアルバムに写る二人の上等兵で、各々が「脇差」をベースとした「私物軍刀」を所持している。両者ともに「脇差」の「鞘」を革で包むとともに「革帯」に佩用にするための金属製の「佩環」が「鞘」に付けられている。また右の上等兵は柄部分の「柄巻」を護るために布を巻きつけている。両者とも昭和五年制定の「防暑衣」を着用している。These are two privates pictured in a private album taken in China in 1939, each carrying a "private gunto" based on the "Wakizashi."' In both cases, the "sheath" of the "Wakizashi" is wrapped in leather, and a metal "car ring" is attached to the "scabbard" to be worn on the "leather obi." Additionally, the private on the right has cloth wrapped around the handle to protect it. Both men are wearing "heat protection clothing" that was established in 1930.

Cross-reference to the same sword. Newby Perplexed by Type 95 NCO Sword

The Suya serial number range for asymmetrical hilts is 6787東 to 9811東. Stegel is the only one who can narrow it down further.

The Seki 関 stamp displaced the Nagoya 名 stamp in the 201,500 range. However, old 名 blades occasionally show up later on.

Only Suya made Type 95s in the 40K range. If they have Iijima markings, then they are reproductions.

A determination has not been made whether these two Type 95s are real or not. We, as in the readers of the Military Swords of Japan subforum, just need more pictures. I would like to see a picture of the scabbard mouth opening for both. Lets not jump the gun and come to a hasty conclusion.

George, John B. Shots Fired in Anger. 2nd edition. National Rifle Association of America, 1981. Quote taken from a picture caption between pages 490 and 491.

Wow! You made my day. Deep in the vaults of the NMB archives, one can find hidden gems from long ago. Bring Back With Provenance And Family Blade

Information about Mizuno can be found via the link below. Has anyone come across this Stamp before??

I think a repaint as you suggest. The sword knot could be from some other country? Note the metal rivet on one end. I do not recall the Japanese ones having a rivet.

The same shop also has this little solar-powered plastic monk. Not sure what the purpose of tapping/drumming is, but am curious as to the meaning of the Chinese characters around the base.

Same character, just old versus new. 廣 = 広

Is there an inspection mark and/or serial number on the nakago mune?

The yamagata "M" stamped swords are for an army contract. See below for some more information about the swords marked like this. The Mysterious "w" Stamp!