Signature help please.

[Khy]

Long time lurker, learning lots and appreciate all the great info and resources.

 

Though I'm a bit lost with this one. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[SteveM]

於関兼永造

Made by Kanenaga in Seki

[Khy]

Thank you!

 

So the "in Seki" is what threw me off. It was sold as an Edo blade, so is this "in Seki" different than the Seki stamp from the 1900's?  

[SteveM]

The town of Seki (関) is the same one that is represented by the "Seki" in the stamp on WW2 swords. Seki has been a sword-making town for centuries.

[Bazza]

The key is the character 於 - 'oite' or 'at', indicating I think that Kanenaga was away from his usual place of residence/work and made this blade whilst visiting Seki.

 

BaZZa.

[Khy]

  On 9/22/2023 at 10:12 PM, SteveM said:

The town of Seki (関) is the same one that is represented by the "Seki" in the stamp on WW2 swords. Seki has been a sword-making town for centuries.

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I assumed so, but started taking the "99% with any seki stamp are non trad" too seriously I suppose.

 

  On 9/23/2023 at 12:21 AM, Bazza said:

The key is the character 於 - 'oite' or 'at', indicating I think that Kanenaga was away from his usual place of residence/work and made this blade whilst visiting Seki.

 

BaZZa.

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and could not find any records of Kanenaga in Seki, so that had me second guessing it as well, it all makes sense now. I appreciate the clarity.