WWII era Samuria Military Sword Help

[texasnorton]

Hello I am new to this site but it was referred to me as the place I may get some help interpreting the writing on my Samurai sword. The link below is to pictures of it. So far I've been told the following below and here is a link to photos of the sword.

http://s1072.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=0

 

Seki Ju something something something Saku.

Meaning a resident of Seki city(in Mino province) made this. But I can't read the chippy style of carving for the smith's name.

The smith's name is the second to last two; it could read ToshiHaru or ToshiNobu but I'm very unsure of that, and it could quite easily read something else. The third kanji could be a title.

 

The chippy carving style and that the signature starts with Seki could mean that is a non-traditionally made blade made in the war time era.

 

This is a KAI gunto sword. Not "samurai" but a naval officers sword. Pretty easy to ID as they pretty much all had the Japanese flag style sunburst tsuba and a tsuka with black same.

 

Thanks Scott

[george trotter]

Hi Scott,

Hard to read pic when posted upside down...might be "Seki Ju Mori Toshi Haru Saku"...maybe post right way up? (Mori is a Family name).

Looks like showato from Seki sword association production for sure.

Regards,

[Brian]

Scott,

Pics are upside down. Here is one the right way up and contrast enhanced.

You are correct, a Kai Gunto, non-traditionally made and Seki blade.

Translation to follow soon.

 

Brian

[David McDonald]

Dear Scott and Brian

 

Here is what I see

 

関Seki

住Ju

森Mori

俊Toshi

冶Haru

作saku

 

later

david

[Brian]

Are we sure about that "ju"?

More likely Seki xxMori Toshiharu saku?

Obviously one of the many WW2 smiths that was not well documented.

 

Brian

[Nobody]

Yes, it is 住 (ju).

 

関住森俊治作

[Shimazu]

Regarding the jū kanji; On page 40 of John Slough’s book “An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945” he shows an oshigata that has a Jū kanji virtually identical to this nakago. Also on page 40 is an oshigata translated as Seki jū Mori Kaneharu. While the kanji does not look like a typical jū kanji, it would appear that a translation of this nakago could well be Seki jū Mori Toshiharu Saku as David has suggested.

[texasnorton]

You guys / gals are wonderful. I wish I knew what all that means but I'll look into that. If if helps the debate I did repost some pics with the images the correct direction. Sorry I'm an idiot.

 

http://s1072.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=0

 

Thanks

[David McDonald]

Hi

 

]関Seki --- is a town in Mino province

住Ju -- means while living at

森Mori -- a family name (last name)

俊Toshi - Toshiharu would be the art name if the smith that made the sword

冶Haru

作saku - made

 

A sword made in the 1940's.

 

If you have other questions please ask. We are all learning some just have been learning longer that others. It's all ok.

 

later

david

 

 

You guys / gals are wonderful. I wish I knew what all that means but I'll look into that. If if helps the debate I did repost some pics with the images the correct direction. Sorry I'm an idiot.

 

http://s1072.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=0

 

Thanks