mecox

Listed in 1937 national report as Gifu smith (see NMB Downloads) #4. 兼丈 Kanetake (福田 丈太郎 Fukuda Jotaro) (can read “Taketaro”) [kanji is not “fumi” 文] Born: Meiji 43 (1910) May 10; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. Deshi in 1937: 0. 1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 1754; 1939: Seki-machi, Misono-cho. History: living in Seki-machi and trained under Matsuda Kanetaka (#26) who had early trained under Kojima Kanemichi (then as Kanetoki) probably in the Nipponto Tanren Juko. Summary: died in 1989 age 79. He made numerous swords for both Arrny and Navy. Example mei: Fukuda Kanetake saku 福田兼丈作 Seki ju Fukuda Kanetake saku 関住福田兼丈作 Noshu Seki ju Kanetake saku 濃州 関住兼丈作

Possibly is Takekoshi Hideo 竹腰　英夫

Steve, I should have sent this link: check Kai Gunto Mei and Miwa

Steve, looks like MASAYUKI (正行) , real name Miwa Tomoo (三輪 友雄), born August 8, 1895 (Meiji 28). A Seki smith and this blade has Gi-sakura stamp (Gifu). Registered as a Seki smith Showa 14 (1939) October 26. In late war rinji seishiki mounts and dated Showa 19 (1944) December.

Perry there are 4 Kanetoshi from Seki, and 2 have this "toshi" kanji. I think yours is Murayama (are usually signed with "Noshu") 兼俊 Kanetoshi (村山 喜之一 Murayama Yoshinoichi) Born: Meiji 38 (1905) Aug 3; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Deshi in 1937: 1. 1937:Kamo-gun, Tomita-mura, Hanyu. 1939: same address. History: trained under father Murayama Kaneyuki (#30). Died February 23, 1978. Independent from Showa 9 (1934) with tanrenjo at Kamo-gun, Kamono-mura. Your Mei so you can read In this NMB Download is more info and shows other Kanetoshi

Martin, you should find a lot of the info you want (as well as sent to you) on the following paper in NMB Downloads

Bruce and Steve, looks to me that the same under the kabuto-gane is different, and added later. Also the kabuto-gane is put on back-to-front.

Tsuba design:

Steve, this is YOSHIMICHI 吉道: real name Kojima Yukiyoshi (小島幸吉). Born Meiji 27 (1894) April 22. Registered as Seki smith in Showa 16 (1941) May 16 (age 47).

OK Bryce I was not sure, but looked at sori, so said "maybe"

Steve, looks to be 兼高 Kanetaka (松田 高市 Matsuda Takaichi) Born: Meiji 44 (1911) Sept 16; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. 1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Aza naka-machi. 1939: Seki-machi, Naka-machi. Deshi in 1937: 1. History: trained from Taisho 13 (1924) under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi). Independent Showa 5 (1930) May. Example mei: Kanetaka 兼高 Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 maybe with type 94 shinto gunto mounts, yes very long kissaki and strong sori. I think these mounts finished in 1938, so may be just pre-war.

Michael, late war Naval kaigunto stainless steel. Takeyasu saku 武泰作. The tsuka is poorly rebound. See info about these swords on this NMB Download file. Your sword in on p. 123.

@JoeR1986 to help with your questions: this is a stainless steel blade mounted in Naval kaigunto koshirae. The mei looks to be "Taketaka saku" 武孝作 and it has an anchor in circle stamp. This would be made in the Tenshozan Tanrenjo a private factory that produced swords for the Navy. There were various mei used there , but there were other "Take" smiths": Takeyoshi, Takeyasu and Takeyuki. I had not seen a Taketaka before. The blade is a production line product although neat finish. These mei look to appear through the war, but not large numbers. There were more of a similar form with mei of Hiratoshi saku. Bit hard to tell about mounts from pics but unusual to have only one suspension ring and menuki and seppa look a bit odd, so not sure if late war or a post-war souvenir item. The paint figures on the nakago are 　伊　二四四　("e" ?) 2 4 4. These look repeated on mouth of saya (not sure of first one). These are assembly numbers to match the various parts. For lots for info on WW2 Naval swords and smiths, and Tenshozan go the NMB Downloads:

Mike, looks like “Izumi no Kami Kaneshige” (和泉守兼重) so would be in 1640's. He was in "Musashi" which was Edo now Tokyo. Izumi no Kami is a title. What is the length of blade (cutting edge)? Be good to see pics

Joe, sword is a Naval kaigunto with stainless steel blade made at Tenshozan Tanrenjo. It has the stamp of anchor in circle and reads "Taketaka saku" (made by Taketaka). These were made on production line. Of interest this name is not common...there are a series of others: Takeyoshi, Takeyuki and Takeyasu. On NMB Downloads lots of info on these swords: