Help with First Character on Type 98 Shin-Gunto Mei

[tbonesullivan]

Haven't had a chance to look at many tangs lately, so I must be getting rusty. I've tried even drawing this one out in the Kanji finder, and have not had any luck. Last two Kanji I am pretty sure are 正 作 (MASA SAKU), but the first one is eluding me. I went through the oshigata I have access to, and did not find anything that matches. It's got a nice arsenal stamp on it, though the blade itself is almost completely stained. Looks like an arsenal blade. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Nobody]

関正行 - Seki, Masayuki

 

[Bruce Pennington]

OUCH! That "Seki" hurts my eyes!!!

 

The Showa stamp was a civil inspection stamp, not arsenal, however the blade was likely showato, though they were usually well made.

[tbonesullivan]

18 hours ago, Nobody said:

関正行 - Seki, Masayuki

 

Thanks so much! Never really seen a Seki like that, but these "chippy" signatures always seem to confuse me.

[tbonesullivan]

14 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

OUCH! That "Seki" hurts my eyes!!!

 

The Showa stamp was a civil inspection stamp, not arsenal, however the blade was likely showato, though they were usually well made.

Definitely showato, and unfortunately the blade is more oxidized than the tang. Stains all over.