Kogatana mei

[Ken-Hawaii]

I was just contacted by the son of a WWII vet who found an interesting tanto in his recently-deceased father's attic. He hasn't been able to remove the tsuka from the tanto as yet, but the kogatana has a mei that I can't translate, especially the last character. Any ideas?

 

Aloha!

Ken

 

[Toryu2020]

Very cool Ken,

 

Looks like Aoi mon and then 長曽根虎徹二代目興正 with a Kao

 

might want to look him up in Shosakenshu, for the Kao anyway. Sure to be lots of information on this school in your sword books. and when you all get around to it, I should love to see a photo of the other side...

-t

[Ken-Hawaii]

Many thanks, Thomas. So that's Nagasone Kotetsu Nidaime Okimasa with a kao & Aoi mon, right? I don't have a copy of Shosakenshu, but will see what else I can find.

 

I've asked the owner to see if he can remove the tsuka & send me some more photos to see if the tanto matches the kogatana, by some chance.

 

Much appreciated!

 

Ken