WW2 Gunto Translation Help Needed

[Jsuth88]

Hi all,

I came across this sword in my fathers things after he passed a long time ago and recently found it again. After doing some research it seems to be real, and has a signature on the Nakago, but it is hard to read and has another inscription in white as well. I was curious to know if anyone could translate this, and if there was any information I could learn about the sword. As you can tell it isn’t in the best condition, so it may be harder to read as well. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 

[Ray Singer]

Goto Kanehiro saku

The number on the end of the nakago is San ju ni (32)

[Ray Singer]

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12166-translation-confirmation-navy-gunto/

A photo of the smith:
https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/34760-collection-of-photos-from-wwii-smiths/?do=findComment&comment=359700

[mecox]

KANEHIRO (兼広), real name Gotō Hiroyoshi (後藤広吉), born October 1st 1907 (Meiji 40), student of Katsumasa (勝正), he worked as a guntō smith.  Registered as a Seki swordsmith in Showa 14 (1939) October 26 (age 32) this was early in the war, and there were 18 registered that day.  He died in January 26th 1960 (Showa 35).   Ranked as Ryōkō no Jōi (6th of 7 levels in 1942 by Akihide from 400 swordsmiths).    Fourth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai exhibition (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941).  Oshigata from Slough book,  Fuller & Gregory books and Rick Stein (Sword Index)

Note:  his mei uses Kanehiro  兼廣 but newer reports use short form 兼広 which is confusing.

There is also another Seki smith  Kanehiro  兼厳   Kato Hiro'o  加藤 厳夫 born Taisho 10 (1921) July 5 and registered Showa 14 (1939) October 20.

 

                       

[Bruce Pennington]

Jamie,

There appears to be a stamp way at the top, like the one in Mal's photo.  Could we get a clear shot of that, please?

[Ray Singer]

Bruce, it is a Seki stamp. Jamie posted this sword to Facebook as well. 

[Ray Singer]

[mecox]

Here's summary of Goto Kanehiro:

 

                           

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Ray!  I have 1941 blades of his with the Showa stamp, and '42 blades with the Seki, and several undated ones.  

 

Jamie, no way to be certain, but the odds are this blade was made in 1942, in case you're interested.