mecox

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

Brian, the top one is Seki stamp: Noshu Seki ju 23 gen Kanefusa saku (with takanoha yasurime) Bottom one need to look further.....but at right looks like a made up saying "Ji Sei Ji Sho" 自制　自勝　　(control self or self-restraint) in really rough cutting. at left: maybe 土肥　　真　　dohi masa ??

As noted above the mei looks to be “Kaneuji” 兼氏 but it is roughly cut. Also noted above the date is 1940 (皇紀二千六百年 = Imperial Era 2600 Year) also very roughly cut. Although Kaneuji is a very old name in Mino, there is only one registered in WW2 Seki and he is Yoshida Reiichi (吉田鈴市). From the Seki registration list Yoshida Kaneuji was born Taisho 14 (1925) January 13 and registered on Showa 13 (1938) Sept 9 (living at Seki-cho, Naka-machi) which would be age 13. (this is a little odd for his age, maybe a deshi, and also he is the earliest registered in the list). For the blade shown in 1940 he would be age 15 (perhaps explains rough work?). The Sho stamp fits the age. However, other examples dated 1940 (Fuller & Gregory (1940)) and also 1942 (F&G (Seki stamp) and Slough (Seki stamp)) are better finished (also taka-no-ha nakago) and probably are nakirishimei signed. Are they the same smith or joint work? Here are the examples for comparison. Fig 1, 2, 3 (Iryna). ) Fig 4 (Slough p. 72) Fig 5, 6 (F & G 1983) Fig 7, 8, 9 (Gendai Index Rick Stein).

Sam as above and probably this guy “Yasumitsu” (康光), real name Noguchi Shojiro (野口照二郎) born Meiji 40 (1907) from Tahara-mura, Kamo-gun in Gifu, registered as a Seki smith Dec 1943. It has a stamp, probably Seki partial and sideways

Could be Kanehide 兼秀　?

@Jon D Hi Jon, there are examples and history of your swordsmith Katsumasa in the NMB Downloads (top of page) in paper Kojima Tokijiro Kanemichi and Kojima Tosho Family

@Kaigunto230 Michael, did you look in NMB Downloads.....Japanese Naval Swords Part 2, has many examples.

Larry, it is a good example of an early 1940's Naval kaigunto, stainless steel but custom mounts with same covered scabbard (saya). As noted the mei is "Tenshozan Tanrenjo saku" the place where it was made. The paper below has a good explanation of Naval swords. Look for your mei, also see table P. 118. The surrender tag says "Kaigun Taisa Nakane Ganjiro" Naval Captain Nakane (given name Ganjiro).

As further information here are some summaries I produced back in 1993:

Erik, from Markus Sesko , Swordsmiths of Japan (2015): KANESAKI (兼先), Tenbun (天文, 1532-1555), Inaba – “Kaneyoshi yori godai Kanesaki sandai saku” (従兼吉五代兼先三代作, “third generation Kanesaki, fifth generation after Kaneyoshi”), “Inshū-jū Fujiwara Kanesaki” (因州住藤原兼先), “Kanesaki saku” (兼先作). KANESAKI (兼先), 1st gen., Keichō (慶長, 1596-1615), Bizen/Inaba – “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Kanesaki” (兼先), real name Heki Sō´emon (日置惣右郎), son of Heki Isuke (日置伊助), he came originally from Bizen province, the moving to Tottori (鳥取) to Inaba province took place in the ninth year of Kan´ei (1632), itame mixed with ko-mokume, gunome-midare, sanbonsugi, gunome with togariba. KANESAKI (兼先), 2nd gen., Kan´ei (寛永, 1624-1644), Bizen/Inaba – “Kanseaki” (兼先), real name “Heki Sōjūrō” (日置惣十郎), son of Heki Sō´emon (日置惣右郎) and grandson of Heki Isuke (日置伊助), gunome with togariba, wazamono, chūjō-saku. KANESAKI (兼先), 3rd gen., Kanbun (寛文, 1661-1673), Inaba – “Inshū Tottori-jū Kanesaki” (因州鳥取住兼先), “Inshū-jū Fujiwara Kanesaki” (因州住藤原兼先), “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Kanesaki” (兼先), he signed first with Kanetsugu (兼次), real name Heki Hyō´emon (日置兵右衛門), son of the 2nd gen., ko-mokume, regular gunome, also suguha, chūjō-saku. KANESAKI (兼先), 4th gen., Jōkyō (貞享, 1684-1688), Inaba – “Inshū-jū Kanesaki (因州住兼先), “Kanesaki” (兼先), real name Heki Heisuke (日置兵助, the first name also reads Hyōsuke), chū-saku. KANESAKI (兼先), 5th gen., Genroku (元禄, 1688-1704), Inaba – “Inshū-jū Fujiwara Kanesaki” (因州住藤原兼先), “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Kanesaki” (兼先), real name Heki Kurō´emon (日置九郎右衛門), according to tradition the son of the 2nd gen. Sōjūrō Kanesaki (惣十郎兼先), some sources list Jinroku Kanesaki (甚六兼先) from the Enkyō era (延享, 1744-1748) as 5th gen. Kanesaki. KANESAKI (兼先), 6th gen., Shōtoku (正徳, 1711-1716), Inaba – “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Kanesaki” (兼先), real name Heki Ki´emon (日置喜右衛門), brother-in-law of the 5th gen. Kanesaki. KANESAKI (兼先), 7th gen., Kyōhō (享保, 1716-1736), Inaba – “Inaba no Kuni Tottori-jū Kanesaki” (因幡国鳥取住兼先), “Kanesaki tsukuru” (兼先造), real name Heki Genjirō (日置源次郎), according to tradition the son of the 3rd gen. Hyō´emon Kanesaki (兵右衛門兼先). KANESAKI (兼先), 8th gen., Enkyō (延享, 1744-1748), Inaba – “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Inshū-jū Fujikake Jinroku no Jō Fujiwara Kanesaki” (因州住藤掛甚六尉藤原兼先), real name Fujikake Jinroku (藤掛甚六), some sources list him as 5th gen., chū-saku KANESAKI (兼先), 9th gen., Bunsei (文政, 1818-1830), Inaba – “Inshū-jū Kanesaki” (因州住兼先), “Inaba Fujiwara Kanesaki saku” (因幡藤原兼先作), “Myōichi Fujiwara Kanesaki” (妙一藤原兼先), “Myōichi Hōsetsu Nyūdō Kanesaki” (妙一峯雪入道兼先), real name Heki Yasaburō (日置矢三郎), student of Minryūshi Toshizane (眠龍子寿実), those sources who list Jinroku Kanesaki (甚六兼先) as 5th generation list Yasaburō Kanesaki as 6th gen., chūjō-saku. KANESAKI (兼先), 10th gen., Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Inaba – “Inshū Tottori-jū Kanesaki” (因州鳥取住兼先), those sources who list Jinroku Kanesaki (甚六兼先) as 5th generation list him as 7th gen.

Erik, as noted by Geraint the Kanesaki line remained in Tottori (Inaba). There is differing info in the literature and were up to 8 or 10 generations. Seems the tradition was they initially signed Kanetsugu and on becoming head of the Ha sihned as Kanesaki. Sesko gives a helpful list of the various generations and dates as a guide.

Tachi has been SOLD, thank you. Mal

Currently on hold

Type : Chigo-zashi (boys formal sword) in tachi style. Also called “chigo-to”. Ubu: all original Mei: Ietsugu Age : considered to be Taisho/early Showa Koshirae : in full original tachi koshirae of ito-maki style in green, total length is 67 cm. The kodogu all have matching engraved design, tsuba is tachi-style aoi-gata shape, has two engraved dragons each side and looks to be made of lead. Two matched pairs of seppa. Tsuka is well bound with quality same and has matched copper menuki (may be ceremonial bow and bag design). Saya has interesting brown lacquer with imbedded flake in good condition. Habaki is copper, one-piece well made with diagonal filing design. Nagasa : 38.5 cm. Sori : 1.8 cm Motohaba: 2.3 cm Nakago: length 10.7 cm, yasurime is sujikai, tip is katayama-gata typical for Kaga province. Hamon Type : suguha Jihada : not obvious Flaws : fine tate-ware. Description: Sword has a forged iron blade of good shape but basic manufacture. It is polished but not well finished. Suguha hamon is also basic although appears to have nioi sections. The sword overall is a well proportioned small scale tachi and in very good original condition. The ni-ji mei of IETSUGU 家次 is well cut on katana-mei. (There was a prominent line of Ietsugu tosho in Kaga Province in the late Koto and into the Shinto period, but this name not reported in modern times). The style of this sword is probably not for “Boys Day” but is for the older samurai tradition of the young son attending a festival, and these mounts are also called Iwai-zashi (“worn to the fesitival”). No sword stand is not included. Sword Location : Brisbane, Australia Will ship to : most locations Payment Methods Accepted : Paypal SOLD

Kumazawa Kanetoshi looks to use the go Seikosai, born Meiji 32 (1899) April 20, registered as a Seki smith on Showa 17 (1942) October 21, living in Seki-machi, Kifune-cho.

Mei: Naosuke. date Showa 19 (1944) January. Probably Seki smith Noguchi Kenichi Naosuke, born Taisho 8 (1919) January 14 and registered as a Seki smith Showa 18 (1943) Dec 11. Does this have any stamps?

@Bruce Pennington @Joseph P. there looks to be an error in the Sesko list with two smiths (from original Seki list): Made in November 1944. I think you have the name right. Sesko lists 2 by that name working during the war: "MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), real name Kosaka Takao (小坂隆男), born February 20th 1921, he worked as guntō smith and died December 17th 1964 MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), family name Nagao (長尾), he worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide) There is only one MICHIZANE and his real name was NAGAO TAKAO 道真　長尾　隆男　born Taisho 10 (1921) February 20, registered as a Seki smith on Showa 16 (1941) August 7. He was a student of Asano Kanezane. In 1942 Banzuke (Akihide) listed as Nagao Michizane. Looks to be also read as MICHISANE, but more likely "zane" is correct as a student of "Kanezane". These NOSHU examples with Sho stamp look to be katana-mei and well made Showato. Your blade is later war Nov 1944 and as noted through Nagoya Arsenal with small Seki stamp and Gifu stamp. Also is signed tachi-mei and in rinji seishiki koshirae. "Zane" is cut slightly different.

Joseph & Bruce, well I give up. He is an early war Seki smith. Can read: Seki ju Kawa # Kane # saku. Plus Sho stamp. So family name of Kawa # (looks a bit like Kawasaki). Tosho name of Kane # ( looks a bit like Kanemune or Kaneizumi?). Its beyond me. Possibly unregistered, but has a stamp. Need to get the expert @Nobody

Gracja, this is probably a very early war sword made in Seki. The nakago (hilt) is badly rusted, and there are probably some extra kanji further up. It is likely to be: 濃州関住二十三代藤原兼房作之　　　Noshu Seki ju Nijusan Dai Fujiwara Kanefusa saku kore "Fujiwara Kanefusa 23rd generation of Seki, Mino (Noshu) made this. His family name was Kato and given name Koichi. A good quality smith. Maybe hidden up under the tsuba is a stamp (maybe a sakura flower?).

As noted Ido Hidetoshi, a competent Seki smith in the Amahide workshop. Examples and his background in this NMB Download: