Help with reading katana mei..

[sechan]

Hi Guys, please see if you can read/date/probably armory etc., the following katana, only one side signed.

Thanks,

Steve.

[k morita]

Hi,

The signature says Takeyama Yoshiomi 　(武山義臣)

[sechan]

Thank you k Morita. Is the first character an armory stamp? 

[Brian]

It's a 'Sho' arsenal stamp, indicating non-traditional manufacture. Meaning it is a Showato and not a Gendaito. Wasn't made from tamagahane or fully traditionally made.

[sechan]

Thank you.

[Bruce Pennington]

Steve,

If you haven't read it, I've compiled as much as we know (so far) about the Showa stamp, along with all the other stamps in the article: Stamps of the Japanese Sword.  In the article, I state that it was likely the approval stamp used by the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association.  Recent discussion have resurrected the possibility that it was an Army acceptance stamp.  In either case, like Brian stated, it most likely means the blade was made with non-traditional means.