Translation please

[Possumcop]

I need help with this mei please and can you point me in a direction to learn katakana/kanji.  Thank you.  I am looking at a possible purchase.

[ChrisW]

This one looks like a fake or put-together to me. I'll let those with more experience chime in though. Give their opinions more weight.

[Geraint]

Dear Sam.

 

I am loath to contradict Chris but I think this is genuine, though I would want to see more images before buying, especially the kissaki.  The soft metal fittings are a mass produced type that do occur around the war time.  It is not in great condition, I hope you have some more detailed shots of the blade.

 

All the best.

[ChrisW]

Its fine to say otherwise to what I've said Geraint! It might not be an outright fake, but it looks odd to me.. wartime-style leatherbound saya, fittings that don't match with it. The hamon also looks odd to me too. But that's just my opinion.

[ROKUJURO]

Looks like a WWII blade from MINO in partly civilian mounts, smith might be KANETSUGU, but may also be another KANE..... The photo has little contrast, so not easy to read.

[Nobody]

関住兼茂作 - Seki ju Kaneshige saku

[Peter Bleed]

Thank you Moriyama-san. I couldn't make the SHIGE.  Otheriwise it struck me as a completely legit Gunto.

Peter

[Possumcop]

Moriyama

 

 

Thank you very much,  That matches with the example on the Japanese sword index. I never would have made that connection without your help.

[kissakai]

Is the nakago chevron file marks unusual?

[k morita]

Hi.

 

The mei says Kanefuji (兼藤),not Kaneshige.

WWII seki smith.

[Nobody]

Hi.

 

The mei says Kanefuji (兼藤),not Kaneshige.

WWII seki smith.

 

You are right.

My reading may be wrong.