Type 98 Shin Gunto Mei Translation

[cdertgSeRtQvZopl]

Hello, My name is Darren and I'm new to this board.  I'm interested in finding out more information about this sword (not to sell but just to learn).  Hoping someone can translate the mei and any other pertinant info regarding the sword.  I was told there is a date of November 1943 and a name of Kiyomaro.  I'm under the impression this is not the famous swordsmith Kiyomaro's real signature due of the date of 1943.  Did a swordsmith guild or understudy use Kiyomaro's signature after his suicide? Or is it a case of another swordsmith named Kiyomaro who lived during the time of WW2?  If it is a forged signature would this have been done back in the time period of 1943 or post war?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  ~Thanks 

[Stephen]

Photo look like Christians im sure hes gave all the info that could be had.

[SteveM]

清宮＝Kiyomiya (the name on your sword). Perhaps it is the guy mentioned in this thread

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5859-showato-translation/

 

 

Kiyomaro would be 清麿 which is close, but not the kanji on your sword. 

[cdertgSeRtQvZopl]

Yes, the Kiyomiya kanji is it.  I was struggling with the 2nd kanji character.  This now makes more sense as to the time period.  

 

I have found this info (hope i'm on the right track):  Sword smith named 清宮 - Kiyomiya who was a sword smith working in Seki.  Kiyomiya Noguchi (real name: Toru Noguchi) working in Seki about 1935.  

The 2 attached screen captures are from the Index of Japanese Swordsmiths A-M - Page 229

 

Does anyone know what the painted kanji is on the tang?  I was told it is numbers.  if so can they be translated? Is it assembly, stock, inventory numbers?  

 

-Thanks.  

[Mark]

the painted kanji are numbers. They are used for factory assembled swords to keep parts together

[cdertgSeRtQvZopl]

Thanks to everyone for your assistance!  Great Message Board!  

[cdertgSeRtQvZopl]

I found some additional information on Seki Smith - Kiyomiya. 

 

清宮 (Kiyomiya)

野口 徹

 

Sword smith named 清宮 - Kiyomiya who was a sword smith working in Seki.  Kiyomiya Noguchi (real name: Toru Noguchi) working in Seki about 1935

 

During WWII, more than 200 swordsmiths worked only at Seki province to supply qualified swords for their soldiers. Their names began to appear in Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Several smiths worked as Rikugun Jumei Tosho (e.g. Nakata Kanehide) and produced both good and poor blades together. However, most of these seki smiths produced low grade Showato and should not be regarded as a Gendaito.