Help Identifying my Dad's Japanese Sword

[Michael Adamson]

I found this sword in my Dad's things after he passed away. He was in the Navy in WWII. Not sure where he acquired this or what exactly it is. Any help in identifing this would be greatly appreicated.

The sword is 36.75 Inches, in it's scabbard, from end to end.

The blade is 26" from tip to the hilt.

The Tang is 7.5".

One marking above the wooden pin hole and what i think is the name on the main part of the tang.

 Wood (?) Scabbard.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Michael

[xiayang]

Hi Michael,

 

Your blade has a Seki (関) stamp and is signed

 

石原兼直作 = made by Ishihara Kanenao.

[Bruce Pennington]

From Sesko: 

 

KANENAO (兼直), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanenao” (兼直), real name Ishihara Kanenao (石原金直), born May 25th 1908, he studied under Amachi Suzuichi (天地鈴市) and worked as a guntō smith

 

We could tell you a little more about the sword with some pics of the whole sword and fittings.

 

Most blades with the large Seki stamp were made in 1942, although they are found, less frequently, from 1940-1945.  I have one Kanenao on file dated 1944, so estimating a date is difficult.  But like I said, a 1942 date is most likely.