mecox

George , about Type cut-off dates, Nick Komiya put up great material and I tried to summarise in my Fukuoka paper on NMB Downloads. But basically there was a "few" years (2-3?) of overlap in both design and production, looked like: Type 94 produced from 1934 (official decree). (and was also with Zoheito). Type 98 produced from 1938 (official decree). Rinji Seishiki (never a formal "type", 1938 design started, August 1940 design completed with initial batch produced. But also the swords (koshirae) were being produced in different locations, so no strict end period as far as I can see.

Ray got it Kanehide

Not sure about the mounts but the blade is Ishihara Kanenao KANENAO ( “Kanenao” (兼直), real name Ishihara Kanenao (石原金直), uses old kanji "Nao" , born 1908/May registered as Seki smith !939 October 27. Showa stamp so early war.

Kevin, the "custom" work would be the extras on the mounts, above the standard items, which the owner chooses and pays for.

Kevin the smith is YOSHIMITSU 義光: real name Yabushita Fujio (藪下不二夫). Born Taisho 4 (1915) August 18. He registered as a Seki smith Showa 15 (1940) April 1 (age 24). The signature is “Noshu Seki ju Yoshimitsu saku” and the date is Showa 17 “1942”. Has a Seki stamp. This is a Type 98 mounts but has some custom work with extra gilt and ray skin (samegawa) cover on saya. It is an example of a good early war oil quenched Showato. Apart from "Seki" was there another stamp?

@Patinamax Lance as noted by Ray it is Okada Kaneyoshi. He was well experienced and a good. smith. This is an early war sword and looks to be a well made Showato. The long kissaki is interesting. This could be a custom work. Please show koshirae as John requested. There were quite a few Kaneyoshi in Seki, but his details are listed in NMB Download:

@l_Kendo_It Leonidas, interesting sword from early war Seki with Sho stamp. Both were experienced smiths, but rather rough mei, maybe an "experiment" between colleagues? Information and examples of both in NMB Downloads, see top of main page. Shinoda Ujifusa in Japanese Naval Swords Part 1. Kanetomo in Gifu Tosho List 1937 smith #29

Sword would be made and mounted in Seki, very unlikely in Okinawa. This would be a custom order and does not need to be military related. Not uncommon for swords with this type of itomaki koshirae (mounting) to be given as awards or prizes as well as commemoration.

@Robert Corvo Robert, yes it is Fukumoto Kanemune early war with Sho stamp. The mei looks a little roughly cut. He did produce some good work. Here are examples and background:

The pic for # 9 has the reference for NMB with the date and who posted. Do a search.

@CNS_44 Chansen you could look at this NMB Download (note #9):

Ray smiths name probably Norimitsu 則光 its a few 100 years old, but quite a few with that name. But as John notes cleaning of tang has ruined blade value. Also it may have been shortened on the tip end (hard to see). and yes repurposed for military use , maybe employed civilian.

Ken, as noted sword is “Sukenori” (祐則), real name Nagata Eiichi (永田栄一), born Meiji 43 (1910) August 28, from Seki in Gifu. Registered as a Seki swordsmith on Showa 16 (1941) September 12. Blade also has Seki stamp. He worked as guntō smith in Seki. Interesting your blade is in kaigunto Naval mounts. Seacrh this site for guide in cleaning blade.

@dvill_iaido see this paper on NMB Downloads

Thank you Koichi san