A puzzler

[CurtisR]

I hope I'm posting this in the right section....today I ran into a Nakago with the following "stamp" below the mei. I've searched my reference books and had no luck. The Nakago is signed as well, but this stamp is puzzling me - I've done my best to re-produce it using a loupe (it is perhaps 5 mm in height, and 3mm in width). Any thoughts on what it signifies would be very much appreciated.

 

I believe the Mei is "Kanekiyo" but not sure of which gen. yet (still working on it). The blade and hamon are very distinct, and the tsuba/fittings appear to be of original age to the sword. I'd very much like to know what this type of "stamp" is called, if anyone knows?

 

Thanks in advance ~

 

Curtis R.

[Kai-Gunto]

Could it say Nori ? Just a guess.

[Geraint]

Hi Curtis.

 

If the stamp is done as part of the signature for the smith then it is called kokuin. Her's an example, http://legacyswords.com/fs_ant_daito35.htm

 

However the size you indicate seems very small and therefore this is more likely something else, if you have Fuller and Gregory have a look at page 227 item XV.

[CurtisR]

Thanks Gentlemen,

 

For some reason my response didn't post so trying again....

 

 

I was actually able to get some decent photos of the Nakago and stamp...I just have a feeling it's part of the smith's signature, and would therefore be kokuin. Sadly I don't have the book suggested (yet)...

 

I've also been able to decipher the mei as "Choshu province, Nagamura (Kanakiyo)" (although not 100% positive on the province or first name of the smith...) - please feel free to correct me if I have it wrong, but after researching the oshigata and using Jean's suggestion of "use the search button :D!), it seems genuine.

 

Many thanks,

 

Curtis

[k morita]

Hi,

Nagamura Kanekiyo 兼清　was Seki smith in WWII period,not Choshu province.

A sosyo-kanji of the hot stamp is "Kiyo"　清

　

[CurtisR]

Thank you Morita-san...I will have to go back ad compare kanji of "Seki" with Choshu", but at least I am learning! The Kiyo stamp is very stylized and thank you for your lead...more research...more research .

 

Domo Arigato

 

Curtis R,

[george trotter]

Hi Curtis san (or Brian?),

Maybe post thie pic of the stamp over in "Military Swords" section: Arsenal Stamps:

with just a line to say kao/kokuin stamp "kiyo", found on nakago

of "sho" stamped gunto blade by Nagamura Kanekiyo.

 

Thanks for sharing,

[CurtisR]

Great idea Mr. Trotter - will so so!

 

Thanks,

 

Curtis