mecox

Looks like "Kanenao saku". There was a productive Seki gunto smith Ishihara Kanenao, but this mei is very different, but is very roughly cut.

As above Fukumoto Kanemune of Amahide workshop. Showa 18 (1943) September. Looks to have a small "na" stamp for Nagoya Arsenal. For this workshop go to NMB Downloads, Member Articles, find Amahide.

Nicolette, as noted above it is a WW2 blade by a Seki smith called Kanefusa. You can find a summary of him and the context in NMB Downloads as "Japanese SWORDSMITHS IN GIFU 1937. Go to top of page bar, Downloads, Member Articles. Looks like the only part of the fittings that is original is the wooden saya with the suspension ring. The cane wrap is later.

The book by Chris Bowen was published in 2017 and released in association with US Japanese Sword Club-Midwest. Book condition is not an issue. Thanks Mal Cox

Well I have not seen your sword, and he did die in 1939, but I was going on the way the Kane-kuni is cut. Looks to me also the one in Slough p. 45.

Nicholas, your blade looks like Ogawa Sentaro Kanekuni.

Thanks Thomas, will incorporate. As a note: Chris Bowen contacted me finding a few "errors". I had got info from him, but this seems extra. I have asked Brian to withdraw the paper now, so I can correct it.

This summary attempts to clarify the variation in kanji used for Showa period tosho namde KANEKUNI and the duplicate use of family name OGAWA by different Seki smiths. These variations can be confusing in the translated literature, especially the kanji for “Kuni”. Hopefully, there are no errors in this paper! Available in NMB Downloads:

Probably is Ishin Shiro Sadahiro, born Taisho 14 (1924) March 12, registered as Seki smith Showa 16 (1941) April 11. Also looks to have a Seki stamp.

Yes as noted looks to be Seki smith Noguchi NAOSUKE born 1919 and Seki registered December 1943.　

Dropped price to AUD 125 (approx US$ 97) plus shipping AUD 30 (US$19).

Kevin, more background (from the Sesko lists): UJINOBU (氏信), 1st gen., Daiei (大永, 1521-1528), Mino – “Ujinobu Ganmaku” (氏信岩捲), “Nōshū Ganmaku Ujinobu” (濃州岩捲氏信), “Ganmaku” (岩捲), “Kiyomizu-jū Ujinobu” (清水住氏信), “Nōshū-jū Ganmaku” (濃州住岩捲), he lived in Mino´s Kiyomizu (清水), was a later smith of the Jumyō lineage (寿命), and the most representative smith of the Ganmaku group, somewhat standing-out itame mixed with masame, gunome-midare in ko-nie-deki with sunagashi, partially some dark areas appear in the ha, he was active until around Tenbun (天文, 1532-1555) UJINOBU (氏信), 2nd gen., Genki (元亀, 1570-1573), Mino – “Nōshū Kiyomizu-jū Ganmaku Ujinobu” (濃州清水住岩捲氏信), “Ganmaku Ujinobu” (岩捲氏信), “Ujinobu” (氏信), gunome-midare in ko-nie-deki, some blades show horimono, wazamono, chū-saku UJINOBU (氏信), 3rd gen., Keichō (慶長, 1596-1615), Mino – “Nōshū Kiyomizu-jū Ganmaku” (濃州清水住岩捲), “Kiyomizu-jū Ganmaku” (清水住岩捲), Ujinobu” (氏信), it is said that he bore the priest rank of a hokkyō (法橋), successive generations Ujinobu moved around Kanbun (寛文, 1661-1673) and Tenna (天和, 1681-1684) to Owari province

Matsuda Kanetaka was an early wartime smith in Seki, born 1911 and registered 1939 October. See info in paper on Swordsmiths in Gifu 1939 in NMB Downloads (link at top of page under Downloads, Members Articles)

Looks like Ganmaku, more from Sesko to check: GANMAKU (岩捲), Eiroku (永禄, 1558-1570), Mino – “Ganmaku” (岩捲), “Nōshū Kiyomizu-jū Ganmaku” (濃州清水住岩捲), he was a late Jumyō smith (寿命) who lived Kiyomizu (清水) in the Ibi district (揖斐) of Mino province, the Ganmaku group included several smiths who all signed with this name, some sources consider the 1st gen. Ujisada as founder of the Ganmaku group, see also entry “UJISADA (氏貞), 1st gen., Daiei (大永, 1521-1528), Mino,” the more commonly accepted theory says that Ujinobu (氏信) was the founder of this group because the Ujinobu smiths often signed with the supplement Ganmaku, see also entry “UJINOBU (氏信), 1st gen., Daiei (大永, 1521-1528), Mino” GANMAKU (岩捲), Kanbun (寛文, 1661-1673), Mino – “Nōshū Shimizu-jū Ganmaku” (濃州清水住岩捲), some sources list him with the characters (岩騫) for “Ganmaku,” mokume, gunome-midare, chū-suguha, chūjō-saku

Hizen ju Harima .....and shortened. It could be the following (from Sesko): Note the kanji for "ma" is unusual, plus hamon of various choji. But I am not sure. TADAKUNI (忠国), 1st gen., Keian (慶安, 1648-1652), Hizen – “Hizen-jū Harima no Daijō Fujiwara Tadakuni” (肥前住播摩大掾藤原忠国), “Harima no Daijō Fujiwara Tadakuni” (播磨大掾藤原忠国), “Hishū-jū Harima Nyūdō Fujiwara Kyūtetsu” (肥州播摩入道藤原休鉄), “Harima Nyūdō Fujiwara Kyūtetsu” (播磨入道藤原休鉄), the 1st gen. Tadakuni was born in Keichō three (慶長, 1598) as second son Hirosada (広貞) who changed his name later to Yoshiie (吉家), real name Hashimoto Rokurōzaemon (橋本六郎左衛門), he signed first with Hironori (広則) but changed his name with receiving the honorary title Harima no Daijō in Kan´ei eleven (寛永, 1634) to Tadakuni (忠国), his nyūdō-gō was Kyūtetsu (休鉄) and he died on the 22nd day of the fourth month Genroku four (元禄, 1691) at the age of 94, dense and standing-out ko-itame with ji-nie all over the blade which appears as konuka-hada, the hamon is mostly a flamboyant and excellently tempered chōji-midare or gunome-chōji, but also a chū-suguha is found, during his early years he signed the character “ma” (磨) in “Harima” (播磨) with the variant (摩), it seems that he changed towards the common way of writing at some time during the Shōhō era (正保, 1644-1648), in later years he returned to (摩), some say that all blades signed with the variant (磨) are actually daisaku-daimei works of the 2nd gen. but this can´t be proofed, wazamono, jō-saku

HIZUKE NO HON Malcolm and Sueko Cox Printed 2007 (now updated copies) The aim of this book is to help reading Japanese dates on swords. It shows different systems, types of signature (mei), list of nengo with kanji, map of provinces, and explanation of zodiac date system. The book contains tables of dates from 1000 to 2028 (Reiwa 10), with nengo, western year, zodiac and other cycles. Ways of writing dates are summarised also key events of Japanese (sword) history. It has 26 full page of oshigata from 1186 to 1943, with mei and dates in Romaji and kanji. Book is soft cover, 29 x 20.5 cm, 75 pages in length. The book will be of particular use to new folk to the study, plus mature followers whose recall capacities are fading (I use it regularly!). Book is AUD20 with airmail to USA of AUD28 (total AUD48 approx. US$30).

Noshu ju Murayama Kaneshige saku, Seki, born Meiji 42 (1909) July. There are several Kaneshige. This is in Slough p. 64-65

Seki ju nin Takeyama Yoshinao saku. Sho stamp. YOSHINAO 義尚: real name Takeyama Tsutomu (武山勲). Born Meiji 39 (1906) August 17, older brother of Yoshitomi (義臣). Reg. Showa 14 (1939) October 27 (age 33). Rikugun-jumei-tōshō. Died Showa 57 (1982) July 11. Akihide 1942: Jōkō no retsu (5/7). Second Seat at 6th Shinsakuto 1941). Example mei: (“Seki Fujiwara Yoshinao”) (“Noshu Seki Takeyama Yoshinao saku” SHO), (“Seki Fujiwara Yoshinao saku” SHO), (“Seki Fujiwara Yoshinao saku kore”) (“Noshu ju Takeyama Yoshinao kin saku”) (“Noshu Seki ju nin Takeyama Yoshinao kin saku” SEKI).

Kumabe Tadatoshi was an excellent smith from Kumamoto, produced gendaito through the war, also Kumabe Tadatoshi was one of 13 tosho selected by NBTHK to make swords for the 59th reconstruction of the Ise Shrine (scheduled for 1949 but held in 1953). Background and examples in paper on Fukuoka Prefecture Kyushu, in NMB Downloads (see top line of NMB front page)

Looks like Nobumitsu 信光　with date of Showa 19 (1944) January. Also has a NA stamp 名　for Nagoya arsenal. There was a Nobumitsu in Gifu : Sukemitsu (Sako) Shinichi (born 1905/06) died 1993 July 21. He is in Slough p. 135 but not sure if him.

Nice kaigunto. Kinmichi 金道 Hibino Ichiji 日比野 一二 (can read as “Kanemichi”). With large Seki stamp. Born: Taisho 6 (1917) May 6. Registered as Seki tosho: 1942, Sept 10. Address 1942: Oyama, Tomida-mura. Died 1945, August 20 (age 28) (the surrender of Japan was announced by Emperor Hirohito on August 15, 1945)

Folks, an interesting but undocumented Seki swordsmith. Be good to find out who he was. I have compiled what I could find and tried to make some sense of it. Would welcome comments, corrections and ideas. Following are my notes and pics. UNJOSAI KATSUNAGA 雲上斎 勝永 An apparent mystery with wartime Seki swordsmiths is Unjosai KATSUNAGA, who produced a wide range of blades, but for whom no records were found (so he is reported as “undocumented”). He is not in the 1940 Seki City lists and is not in the Seki swordsmith registration list from 1939. His blades look to be both Showato and gendaito, most are mounted as Army shingunto in various fittings, there are some Naval kaigunto and at least one in wartime civilian mounts. A number are in post-war shirasaya or have been mounted for iaido. He has a number of mei, which may reflect types of swords produced. Katsunaga 勝永 (H, O) Unjosai Katsunaga 雲上斎勝永 (B, C, D?, E, F, G, M) Seki Unjosai Katsunaga 関雲上斎勝永 (A, J, K) Unjosai Katsunaga saku 雲上斎勝永作 (L) Unjosai Katsunaga kitaeru kore 雲上斎勝永鍛之 (I, P) Katsunaga saku 勝永作 (N) In regard to his mei, “Katsunaga” is his swordsmith name, however, “Unjosai” is probably not a family name and more likely is a “go” or pseuydonym/penname. “Katsunaga” is said to be a masculine name and there were several noted samurai of the Edo period with it. There was also a samurai in the 1800’s, Sagae Chuzaemon Katsunaga (1806-1864) who became a swordsmith in Edo Tokyo and was of the Mito Domain, Ibaraki. So what would be this Katsunaga’s family name? He signs as katana mei, but with variations. Showato blades are signed on the shinogi-ji with a “chippy” cut style (nakirishi mei) that reflects mass production work. Those with well cut mei reflect custom work and are larger characters and centrally located over the nakago shinogi. Mei on custom blades have both a neat formal style, and an artistic cursive style; one variation is of vertical “squarish” characters that are deeply cut using “interpretive” kanji (N and O). Possibly the custom blades are signed by the tosho (shoshi mei). Only one blade (J) of the examples found has a stamp reported, which is the large “Seki”. One example (A), has a bohi-hi kaki-toshi groove through the nakago; this blade is both neatly finished and signed and could be semi-traditional. The shape of the nakago also varies, with different amounts of taper and several styles of kiri tip; some with ha-agari Seki type, others slightly angular. The yasurime filing is angled sujikai, with varying degrees of neatness; on some blades there is a criss-cross hagaki section (but possibly just rough work). Differing hamon were found. The Showato examples tend to be more of a Seki style midare-gunome (A, D, F, H, J, M) some are slightly notare. It appears that the better made and custom blades have suguha hamon (G, I) some with nie-deki (I). No images were found of the other custom made blades. The typical blade has an average nagasa of 63.0 cm (61.7 to 64.5 cm) and small sori of 1.0 to 1.2 cm. Several blades vary from this: C: this is a custom blade of 67.4 cm length and sori of 1.8 cm. D: this is a longer blade which is shortened around 10 cm to 52.7 cm (wakizashi length) with the mune moved and a new nakago ana drilled; the mei is also shortened. The blade has been remounted in shorter shingunto koshirae. I: this blade has a nagasa of 64.3 cm, however, it has two mekugi ana and is probably shortened by around 7-8 cm. The mei is below the lower hole and kiri nakago tip indicates the shortening. The suguha hamon on this sug-gests water quenching. Of note, it is in wartime civilian mounts. Basically there appears to be three types of swords: (a) Showato oil quenched Seki work suggesting some form of mass production. (b) quality Seki work possibly semi-traditional with hand forging/folding and neat finish. (c) top end custom orders, traditionally made and on request with name of client. Of interest is sword K which has a label on the saya of “The Seki Cutlery Manufacturers’ Association” and “Seki Gifu Japan”. The label shows “Passed” presumably approved for sale. The nakago of sword K is a little rough, no stamp is obvious; these labels look to be used mid to late war, however, are mostly found on “budget” swords with basic wooden saya. The mei of sword J is the same as that of K, both stating “Seki”, and possibly has a similar hamon. Nagasa for these are K of 61 cm and J of 62.8 cm. Overall, production of Katsunaga blades suggests a smaller workshop, or several workshops, linked to a sales outlet, with a number of craftsmen involved; the various styles of mei are likely by different people. The examples here show Katsunaga was a Seki smith, and he does look to have some training as a tosho, however, he is not in the Seki registration list. But who was he and what was his name. There must be a record somewhere. Malcolm Cox, 2025

He is also called TOSHIHARU Yabunaka Toshio (藪中俊夫) as well as Mori. He was born Taisho 4 (1915) April 18 and registered as a Seki swordsmith Showa 14 (1939) October 8.

Does it have fittings? Need to see the whole item. But others will be best to comment on a price.

Paul, for information and examples of Amahide and his forge go to NMB Downloads, Member Articles (top line of front page) and find paper on Ichimonji Amahide.