SouTex Posted March 11 Report Posted March 11 I have this Japanese sword and I’m looking for whatever information I can find on it. It only has characters on 1 side. It has a round stamp that I am curious about. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Curtis 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted March 11 Report Posted March 11 It's a Showa stamp, Curtis. The Mei is Noshu Seki Ju-nin Kanemitsu Saku 1 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 11 Report Posted March 11 Curtis, You can read all about the stamps on blades on this article: Briefly, it is the approval stamp of the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. It was used between 1935 and 1942, with most of them seen on blades made in 1940-41. Mind posting a shot of the blade and fittings? Quote
SouTex Posted March 11 Author Report Posted March 11 Thank You for the information. I appreciate the help. 1 Quote
SouTex Posted March 11 Author Report Posted March 11 On 3/11/2025 at 2:08 PM, Bruce Pennington said: Curtis, You can read all about the stamps on blades on this article: Briefly, it is the approval stamp of the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. It was used between 1935 and 1942, with most of them seen on blades made in 1940-41. Mind posting a shot of the blade and fittings? Expand Thank You for the information Bruce. 1 Quote
mecox Posted March 12 Report Posted March 12 @SouTex Curtis, as noted your mei looks to read "Noshu Seki ju nin Kanemitsu Saku" ( 濃州関住入兼光作) (made by Kanemitsu a person living in Seki in Mino (Gifu)). (The kanji read "seki" looks odd, and more like "warai" 笑 which does not make sense to me, but it was read that way by F&G in 1983). Kanemitsu is a common smith name with at least seven in wartime Seki, but of these only three have this kanji 兼光 and one (Yamada Kanemitsu 1877-1935) died pre-war . Most likely yours is one of these, but probably is Goto who produced some very good work. (examples given). KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Gotō Shōzō (also read as Matsuzo) (後藤 松蔵), student of Kanenaga (兼永), born Meiji 20 (1887) July 20. Registered as Seki smith in early period on Showa 14 (1939) October 26. He became a rikugun-jumei-tōshō and in 1942 Banzuke was ranked as Joko no Retsu (5/7). He died in Showa 32 (1957) March 18. KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Ogawa Mitsuo (小川 光雄), born Taisho 10 (1921) January 20, registered as a Seki smith in Showa 17 (1942) July 3. Worked as a guntō smith. In 1942 Banzuke he was ranked as Ryōkō no Jōi (6/7). He enlisted or was drafted into army and KIA in Showa 19 (1944) July 8 (age 23). Very little info on him. 2 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 12 Report Posted March 12 Curtis, Would you do me a favor and post a clear shot of the face of the tsuba (handguard)? Hard to see in these photos, but is it plain, with no design pattern? Also, check the fringe at the end of the tassel to see if there is a discernable color in the mix. Your strap is two shades of light brown, and often the lighter shade is just badly faded red. Could be a Field grade tassel, and sometimes the red can be seen in tight spots where the 2 straps come together at the knot on top, or in the center of the fringe at the bottom. Thanks! Quote
SouTex Posted March 13 Author Report Posted March 13 On 3/12/2025 at 7:18 AM, mecox said: @SouTex Curtis, as noted your mei looks to read "Noshu Seki ju nin Kanemitsu Saku" ( 濃州関住入兼光作) (made by Kanemitsu a person living in Seki in Mino (Gifu)). (The kanji read "seki" looks odd, and more like "warai" 笑 which does not make sense to me, but it was read that way by F&G in 1983). Kanemitsu is a common smith name with at least seven in wartime Seki, but of these only three have this kanji 兼光 and one (Yamada Kanemitsu 1877-1935) died pre-war . Most likely yours is one of these, but probably is Goto who produced some very good work. (examples given). KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Gotō Shōzō (also read as Matsuzo) (後藤 松蔵), student of Kanenaga (兼永), born Meiji 20 (1887) July 20. Registered as Seki smith in early period on Showa 14 (1939) October 26. He became a rikugun-jumei-tōshō and in 1942 Banzuke was ranked as Joko no Retsu (5/7). He died in Showa 32 (1957) March 18. KANEMITSU (兼光) real name Ogawa Mitsuo (小川 光雄), born Taisho 10 (1921) January 20, registered as a Seki smith in Showa 17 (1942) July 3. Worked as a guntō smith. In 1942 Banzuke he was ranked as Ryōkō no Jōi (6/7). He enlisted or was drafted into army and KIA in Showa 19 (1944) July 8 (age 23). Very little info on him. Expand Thank you for the great information. Quote
SouTex Posted March 18 Author Report Posted March 18 On 3/12/2025 at 3:26 PM, Bruce Pennington said: Curtis, Would you do me a favor and post a clear shot of the face of the tsuba (handguard)? Hard to see in these photos, but is it plain, with no design pattern? Also, check the fringe at the end of the tassel to see if there is a discernable color in the mix. Your strap is two shades of light brown, and often the lighter shade is just badly faded red. Could be a Field grade tassel, and sometimes the red can be seen in tight spots where the 2 straps come together at the knot on top, or in the center of the fringe at the bottom. Thanks! Expand Hi Bruce, the tsuba is plain, no markings. I checked the strap and it is faded green on the inside of the strap. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 18 Report Posted March 18 Thanks! Yeah, I've seen that green before. It's likely a faded version of blue. I remember a discussion of this on an old thread. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.