owazamono

I had this one with a polished down horimono of so no kurikara

I agree. Besides the higher grade gendai swordsmiths (e.g. Sadakatsu, Shigetsugu, etc), I think at least the mass production operation in Seki must have had some artisans helping them (e.g. Kawamura Kanenaga was a skilled engraver). I have seen a disproportionate amount of the Seki-made showato with horimono on blades mounted in the lower grade tachi koshirae. Here is a nicer horimono of a dragon surrounding Fudo Myo-o on a blade by Seki Kanetoki that I once owned, and which has been discussed elsewhere on the forum before.

Here are several from Showa era, displaying varying levels of quality, mostly on showato, some likely by the same hand.

Slough does have a reference to Nobutake, though not obvious. This is a signature used by Yoshihara Kuniie. Full signature is: Tokyo Dai Ichi Rikugun Zoheisho Nobutake. Here are a couple more examples: here and here

Here are a couple to add: 1. Sukehiro 2. Suishinshi Masahide (horimono by Yoshitane)

I can help. Here is a minty Ikeda Yasumitsu for your consideration. We also have Yasuhiro and Yasuyoshi.

According to Eric, this one is the best that he has handled. It is exceptionally large and well-conditioned. It came from an older collection in the U.S.

We just got done listing some new pieces on www.owazamono.com, including some high caliber swords and tsuba. Here are some teaser photos and will make some individual listings soon. Happy to give a 10% discount to members of the forum. Feel free to reach out with questions, happy to help.