Help reading Mei much appreciated

[DB]

My grandfather recently passed away and left me this sword; I would love to know more about it.

 

Could anyone help me read this Mei? I have posted the close-up images in order as they read down the tang.

 

I would also be grateful for an interpretation of what this Mei says about the sword. I assume given the Showa stamp and Army insignia on the mountings that it is a WWII blade? Probably machine made?

 

Finally, in order to preserve the blade my grandfather packed it in grease. How would it be best the keep the blade now? Should I remove the grease and oil it with special oil? Should I clean the metal parts of the guard assembly? If so what with? Also, how is it best to preserve the leather sheath?

 

Apologies for so many questions. Grateful for your expert advice.

 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brian]

Hi...(please sign with a name)

 

I think it is Noshu Seki ju Kanenao. WW2 made, and probably an arsenal blade as you surmised. Is there a date on the other side?

There was an Ishihara Kanenao during WW2, but I am not sure this was him, as he signed with his full name usually.

See: http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/kanenao3.jpg

 

Search the forum for cleaning sword, and you should come up with lots of info. I would clean off the grease, and just keep it very lightly oiled with the recommended oil.

 

Regards,

Brian

[DB]

Brian,

 

Many thanks for your help. Unfortunately there is no date on the other side - is there anywhere else I should look?

 

As I understand it, Kanenao is the swordsmith's name and Noshu Seki ju refers to the place it was made. How should I read this last bit? is Noshu Seki the place?

 

Could you suggest any way of finding out more about the sword?

 

Many thanks once again,

 

Doug

[Brian]

Hi Doug,

 

Seki is the town, Noshu the province (also known as Mino province)

The last kanji is "saku" which means made.

 

So this reads as Kanenao (if I am correct) of Seki in Noshu made this.

They are not always dated, but I would expect it to have been made sometime during WW2.

 

I wouldn't clean any of the metal fittings, the patina is important to the collectibility. The leather can be treated with any commercial leather shoe treatment such as Dubbin. less is more

And whatever you do, don't mess with the rust or patina on the tang at all.

Not much more you can find out about the sword itself besides who made it, and the sho stamp there makes it highly likely it is an arsenal military blade that is oil quenched.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Jean]

Hi Doug,

 

Noshu means : Mino Province