Kuwayama Kanetaka

[george trotter]

Hi all,

Just a bit of info for any members who may own a gendaito ot Showato by Kuwayama Kanetaka 1 mil yen, page 67 in John Slough .

I saw a sword by him today with Sho stamp (sorry, I couldn't get pics). Signature (appears shoshinmei), nakago shape and yasurimei also are the same as illustrated, with the following differences: signed without Kuwayama name , simply "Seki Ju Kanetaka Saku". Also, the aki radical at the botton of Kane are not four "chips", but one "chip" and a long single curved line (commonly used for this radical).

Blade very light, slender and a bit shorter than average, closer to c.62 cm. Nothing distinctive about hamon (typical "showa gunto" hamon) and no visible kitae...just a typical sho stamped blade with the usual leather covered gunto koshirae (but with civilian menuki of dragons).

 

Just thought I'd report it for those who own Kuwayama Kanetaka swords of either type. Interesting that he rose so high in his craft...a tribute to his teacher Watanabe Kanenaga of Seki.

Regards,

George Trotter

[Stephen]

Hi George

 

Was wondering if you or other members has anything on this smith.

has gifu stamp in two places.

[george trotter]

Hi Stephen,

Wow, you have come up with a hard one here. It is difficult to know how to read this...Fujifusa or Tobo. I think probably Fujifusa...but who is he you ask? Well, you don't show the blade , date or fittings here, but I would say that because of the two stamps you mention, this is likely a Type 3 gunto koshirae. If so, this would fit with a Seki Tosho named Yoshida Fujikazu. This smith started as tosho on 30 April 1944 so it is likely his blades would turn up in Type 3 mounts (1943). He is listed in the Seki Tosho list supplied by Jinsoo Kim sensei, and while the list clearly shows the same kanji as your sword, his name is given Katsufusa...but the first kanji on your sword and the Seki list is definitely Fuji.

So...to answer your question, Fujifusa is a late war Seki tosho...I would be interested in some feedback from you...his mei is nicely cut...what is the blade like...gendaito? and date?

Hope this helps...or am I completely wrong...?

Regards,

George.

[Stephen]

Thanks George

 

I at first thought it was a odd Katsufusa but like you said and Nobody agreed its Fujifusa.

Ill send you the rest of the pix for what there is to save space in a email. Thanks again.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 8/8/2009 at 7:04 PM, Stephen said:

gifu stamp in two places

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Stephen,  

Any date on this?

[Stephen]

Lol Bruce my brother...i have trouble remembering moring BK...and you want me to go to 2009??? 

I dont know where that is now. Sorry

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 12/14/2020 at 11:33 PM, Stephen said:

Lol Bruce my brother...i have trouble remembering moring BK...and you want me to go to 2009??? 

I dont know where that is now. Sorry

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Ha!  Me too! 

Thanks Brother!