Signature And More Please, Wwii Sword

[KimberFortyFive]

Hello. I am completely uneducated when it comes to identifying swords.

 

My father-in-law owns this sword and told me that his USMC father brought it back to the states when he returned after World War II. neither of us know the history and this is why I seek your assistance. Please examine the pictures and let me know if you could shed some light on this.

 

If possible, I would like a translation of the Signature, history of the maker and history of the sword if possible. This is very fascinating to me and I have been told that this sword will, perhaps, be mine one day. 

[KimberFortyFive]

Additional Photos.

[Stephen]

here a search for Kanemichi

 

http://search.freefind.com/find.html?si=94437683&pid=r&n=0&_charset_=UTF-8&bcd=%C3%B7&query=kanemichi

[SwordGuyJoe]

I hate to disagree with Stephen on this - but this sword is made by Kanemura Kanetatsu.  The mei is "Seki ju Kanemura Kanetatsu Saku" (Made by Kanemura Kanetatsu from Seki).  It also bears a "sho" stamp, which indicates that it is not traditionally made.

 

From Markus' Index:

 

KANETATSU (兼達), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanetatsu” (兼達), real name Kanemura Tatsuo (兼村達雄), born February 23rd 1913, he worked as a guntō smith

[Stephen]

Thanks Joe ...what i get for hit and run post.......sorry

[SwordGuyJoe]

At first glance, I thought the same.  Then a Kane "X" Kane"Michi" rather than Kojima Kanemichi?  I have seen many showato gassaku works, so that didn't make sense.  Then consulted the seki tosho list and boom - there he was.  After the deep ribbing you got on the tosho tsuba thread, I felt pretty bad kicking the old jarhead again 

[Geraint]

I should think that anyone kicking an old jar head was likely to feel pretty bad in quite a short time!

[KimberFortyFive]

Thank you for the information SwordGuyJoe. Additionally, if you could answer these questions for my clarification please as I am not even a novice when it concerns swords. 

 

1. When you state the this bears the "sho" stamp, are you referring to the stamp mark between the peg hole and the blade?

2. In regards to the "sho" stamp representing that this sword was not traditionally made. Traditionally meaning folded steel? Is this a machined piece?

3. This sword would not hold very much value to a Nihonto collector, correct? 

4. This sword may hold some value for a WWII collector? 

 

I am just curious. We have no intention of selling this as if holds sentimental value to my father-in-law. I thank you so much for all the help you have already been. 

[Brian]

Correct on all counts. The sword wasn't necessarily machine made though, but wasn't fully traditionally made, so probably oil quenched instead of water quenched, and maybe not made from traditional tamahagane steel. Not as machine made as the NCO Shin Gunto's, but they used shortcuts to mass produce it.

 

Brian

[Nobody]

I hate to disagree with Stephen on this - but this sword is made by Kanemura Kanetatsu.  The mei is "Seki ju Kanemura Kanetatsu Saku" (Made by Kanemura Kanetatsu from Seki).  It also bears a "sho" stamp, which indicates that it is not traditionally made.

 

From Markus' Index:

 

KANETATSU (兼達), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanetatsu” (兼達), real name Kanemura Tatsuo (兼村達雄), born February 23rd 1913, he worked as a guntō smith

 

Actually, the mei reads "Seki ju Kanematsu Kanetatsu saku" - 関住兼松兼達作.

[Bruce W Sims]

Hi, Folks:

 

I just registered and pretty much find myself in the same situation

as the TS.

 

I have a piece related to my father's service in the South Pacific.

I doubt the piece I have means very much except perhaps to its original owner

and to me, as a relic of my father's sacrifices. All the same I have recently

wanted to know more about it having had it remounted due to the deterioration

of its sheath and handle.

 

The tang has information etched into both sides and it would be nice to be able to know

a bit more about it. Is the way the TS made his request the way it is done here?

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bruce

[SwordGuyJoe]

Yes- start a new thread in the translation section