Help Translating and thus Identifying this Swordsmith

[SethKaos]

Help identifying.

Hello again from Canada. And so the search continues for a fine sword and I have come across this piece. I am interested in this sword, however my translation from Japanese is poor and I am not able to identify the maker or the age of the sword. This is the info I have from the seller:

Katana in shirasaya.  Signed: "Tokushuko~ de motte Ido Toshihide tsukuru" with "Seki" stamp.

 

I give thanks again in advance for all help. If someone could provide me with some background info that would be AMAZING!

[Geraint]

Dear Seth.

 

You know that this sword carries a Seki stamp don't you ?  Also what that means?

 

All the best.

[xiayang]

Here's another hint:

 

特殊鋼以井戸秀俊作 = made with special steel by Ido Hidetoshi 

[mecox]

Seth, it looks like this smith from Seki:  HIDETOSHI (秀俊), real name Ido Shunzō (井戸俊三), born June 14th 1915, he worked as a guntō smith and died September 18 1985.  In 1942 ranked as ryōkō no jōi (Akihide). 

Worked in Amahide group, summary and examples here: 

 

[SteveM]

Another example of a WW2 sword that managed to get registered. 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

For what it's worth, I have 4 other of his blades on file, all dated 1942.

[John C]

5 hours ago, SteveM said:

Another example of a WW2 sword that managed to get registered

Could that have to do with the seller?

John C.

[SteveM]

No, its a general broadening of the definition, or the understanding, of what an "art sword" is. Before, any swords from the war era were summarily rejected from the registration process on the basis that they were weapons with no artistic merit. Nowadays, swords that are clearly wartime blades are getting registration papers, and subsequently are eligible for Hozon papers from the NBTHK. Whether its a generic relaxation of the standards, or is an explicit directive coming from the government, is anyone's guess at this point. Could be both... given the many debates we have here on NMB about "what is a traditionally-made blade" or "how can you tell if a blade is made with tamahagane" etc., I'm sure the various registration authorities in Japan have been having the same discussions. Also, I don't think there is any interest anymore in confiscating or destroying swords that are part of Japan's history, and so the authorities are allowing swords such as this "Special Steel" sword in this thread to be registered. 

[SethKaos]

On 4/22/2023 at 5:06 AM, mecox said:

Seth, it looks like this smith from Seki:  HIDETOSHI (秀俊), real name Ido Shunzō (井戸俊三), born June 14th 1915, he worked as a guntō smith and died September 18 1985.  In 1942 ranked as ryōkō no jōi (Akihide). 

Worked in Amahide group, summary and examples here: 

 

That was amazing detailed information and background on the man who made the blade! Thank you. I completely missed the WW2 Seki stamp piece as I was trying to understand how it got registered as a WW2 blade, so I thought maybe it was older and then got stamped. Unfortunate. My search continues. All the best!

[ROKUJURO]

Seth,

it is not stamps or signatures that make blades collectable or desirable. Have a look at your blade and its features. It is probably/perhaps a handmade (water-quenched?) one with activities to enjoy.