mecox

There were 2 in Seki with that signature, Okada Takeshi Kaneyoshi and Kawai Yoshifumi Kaneyoshi. But based on the mei style and yasurime shown in Slough it looks like Kawai, but needs confirmation. But I am not 100% sure...in post below are some other Kaneyoshi. listed as Okada and look a bit like yours ??? So appears some confusion in descriptions. 兼義 Kaneyoshi (河合 義文 Kawai Yoshifumi) Born: Meiji 35 (1902) Oct 25; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25/20? In 1937 at Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Shita-machi. In 1939 same address. Had one deshi in 1937. He was a nephew of, and trained under Watanabe Kanenaga in Seki-machi. Became independent in Showa 9 (1934). In 1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition was 2nd level of 5. In the 1942: Toshu Banzuke was 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku). Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho. Slough (p.74) oshigata below: Seki ju Kaneyoshi saku 関住兼義作. This has Sho stamp and early war. F&G 1983 oshigata similar cut date and nijimei (but takanoha yasurime) assuming is same smith, same as yours and looks like arsenal product. With Nagoya "NA" stamp @Bruce Pennington Some tosho worked in both arsenals and private workshops.

Yes looks like Showa ju hachi nen roku gatsu "Showa 18 (1943) June. Were a few of these Kaneyoshi, does this blade have any stamps?

David, looks like 勝 照 KATSUTERU and Feb 1945, but no info readily available.

Bruce and Robert, Kanenami have a look at page 33:

Tsuba has some very nice 3D carving plus fine detail work in the leaves, including insect nibbles on the edges. Pity about the stamped numbers.

Stian, certainly an older blade. Tsuba is Tempo with stamp of Dai Tsuchi "great earth". Information of the tsuba:

RM, as Ray notes the NBTHK paper attributes to NOBUTOMO of Kashu (Kaga Province). There were numerous generations of them. Have a look at NMB Downloads below (search Nobutomo) but page 99 has a tree of generations.

Looks a bit suspicious. here are some examples:

Ali, in NMB Downloads his history and examples:

Agree with Manuel, Mitsuhiro (光弘)

Steve, here's 3 to compare (from Sesko): TSUNAIE (綱家), Tenbun (天文, 1532-1555), Sagami – “Sōshū-jū Tsunaie” (相州住綱家), “Tsunaie saku” (綱家作), first name Heisaburō (平三郎), he lived in Sagami´s Odawara (小田原), it is said that he came from the Shimada school (島田) and studied later in Odawara under the 1st gen. Tsunahiro (綱広), we know blades from the Kyōroku (享禄, 1528-1532) to the Tenbun era (天文, 1532-1555), itame with much ji-nie, suguha or ko-gunome in nioi-deki, sometimes also a gunome-chōji-midare with many hataraki, wazamono, chū-jō-saku. TSUNAIE (綱家), Manji (万治, 1658-1661), Sagami – “Sōshū-jū Tsunaie” (相州住綱家), Muraoka family (村岡), he lived in Sagami´s Ochiai (落合). TSUNAIE (綱家), Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Sagami – “Tsunaie saku” (綱家作), student of a not further specified generation Tsunahiro (綱広), probably of the 11th or 12th gen.

Tsunaie looks good

RJ, as Jan noted smith is Yoshisada from Gifu Prefecture: “Yoshisada” (義定), real name Ishihara Jō´ichi (石原錠一), he was born in Meiji 32 (1899) August 16. He registered early pre-war as a Seki tosho in Showa 14 (1939) October 25, age 40, so presumably had some experience before then. He was living at Seki-machi, Nagasumi-cho. He is listed as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho. The sword is dated as 昭和十八年四月 Shōwa 18 (1943) April. His blades have both Seki and Sho stamps. Any stamp on yours? The marks along the blade look like scratches.....mostly one side.... is there anything stuck in the saya? But often scratches are by post-war kids chopping and slashing trees etc.

Very interesting, impressive and encouraging. Thanks for posting.

Didier, have you seen these examples and background:

Nick, looks to be an interesting sword that went to war. The smith is Kanetaka from Seki. There were two of that signature, but his family name is Matsuda. Not a lot of info available but here is a summary. KANETAKA (兼高), from Gifu Prefecture, his real name is Matsuda Takaichi (松田高市). There is a 1937 compilation done by police for the government listing active tosho at that time; there were 34 active tosho listed in Gifu Prefecture including Kanetaka. The report describes him as: 兼高 Kanetaka (松田 高市 Matsuda Takaichi), born: Meiji 44 (1911) September 16; registered as a Seki tosho on Showa 14 (1939) October 26 (age 28). In 1937 he was living at Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Aza naka-cho. On registration in 1939, he was still living at Seki-machi, Naka-cho (probably home and workshop). He trained as an apprentice from Taisho 13 (1924) (age 13) under Kojima Kanetoki (who became independent in 1928, and changed his name to Kojima Kanemichi). Kanetaka became independent (qualified) in May Showa 5 (1930) (age 18). In 1937 Kanetaka was an independent tosho (age 26) and he had 1 deshi (student). When he registered as a Seki swordsmith on Showa 14 (1939) October 26 it was very early and pre-war, and at the age of 28. In the late 1930's he was one of 15 tosho in the Kanemichi Mon, or group, of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道) who was then well recoginized smith in Seki. Kanemichi had been a student of the high ranked smith Watanabe Kanenaga. Kanemichi and many of his group registered as Seki tosho in this early pre-war period of late 1939. There are quite a few examples of his work, and these have both Sho/sakura and Seki stamps (early part of war). None of these blades are dated. They also show variation in mei cutting and in nakago shape, suggesting assistants. The well cut mei are probably "nakirishimei" by a specialist, common in larger workshops. One example (E) is a custom order, so clearly he was a skilled tosho. He worked as a guntō smith possibly both in his own workshop (and selling through military organisations?) but also producing for an arsenal. However, there is no record he submitted to any exhibitions (e.g. 1941, 1943, 1944). Further, he is not listed in the 1942 Banzuke which compiled and ranked 400 swordsmiths. These factors suggest he was not around from maybe 1941, suggesting he may have died or even enlisted. Examples. A. Nick's sword: with uncommon cursive script mei "Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka. 関 住松田 兼高 (Seki stamp 関). B. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (Sho stamp 昭) [Stein JSI]. C. Noshu ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州住松田兼高作 (Seki stamp 関 and kokuin hot stamp for "TAKA") [Fuller & Gregory, 1983]. D. Matsuda Kanetaka 松田兼高 (Sho stamp 昭) [Fuller & Gregory, 1983]. E. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (Sho stamp 昭) Oite Tanaka shi motome 應田中氏需 "In accordance to the wishes of Mr Tanaka" F. Noshu Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州松田兼高作 (3 part "shu") (Seki stamp 関 and kokuin hot stamp for "TAKA"). Nagasa 68.4 cm. [nipponto.co.jp]. G. Matsuda Kanetaka 松田兼高 (Sho stamp 昭) Nagasa 71.2 cm. Unusual stretched out mei. [ikedaart.com]. H. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (Sho stamp 昭) [gihei.com]. I. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (Sho stamp 昭) Nagasa 69.4 cm. [aucview.aucfan.com] J. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (Sho stamp 昭) Nagasa 66.2 cm. [auctions yahoo.co.jp] K. Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作 (3 part "shu") (stamp removed, probably Sho 昭) Nagasa 67.3 cm. [google.com.au]

Looking at Kanetatsu, Sesko lists: KANETATSU (兼達), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu, real name Kanemura Tatsuo (兼村 達雄), born February 23 1913, he worked as a guntō smith. This agrees with listing in the Seki tosho registration: Kanetatsu, Kanemura Tatsuo, born Taisho 2 (1913) Feb 23, registered Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26 (this is earliest registration date) at age 26. He was living at Seki-machi, Asahi-cho. The sword of Robs (A): "Kanetatsu" 兼達 ni-ji mei, dated Showa 18(1943), with o-suji kai yasurime and Seki stamp. Sword B (2015 KimberFortyFive): shichi-ji mei : "Seki ju Kanematsu Kanetatsu saku" 関住兼松兼達作 Sho stamp, apparently no date, and taka-no-ha yasurime. Sword C (Slough, p. 68): shichi-ji mei : "Seki ju Kanematsu Kanetatsu saku" 関住兼松兼達作 Sho stamp, apparently no date (not shown), and taka-no-ha yasurime (and described as "nakirishimei"). Sword D (F&G 1983): shichi-ji mei : "Seki ju Kanematsu Kanetatsu saku" 関住兼松兼達作 Sho stamp, apparently no date (not shown), and taka-no-ha yasurime. Sword E (F&G 1983): ni-ji mei, dated Showa 17 (1942), with o-suji kai yasurime and Seki stamp. Sword F (Stein JSI): shichi-ji mei : "Seki ju Kanematsu Kanetatsu saku" 関住兼松兼達作 Sho stamp, apparently no date (not shown), and taka-no-ha yasurime. Sword H (nipponto.co.jp): same shichi-ji mei (last sword) Looks like two versions: swords A and E are "Kanetatsu" ni-ji mei, with Seki stamp, o-sujikai filing and dated. "Tatsu" kanji maybe more simple style. (could these be "shoshinmei"?) Swords B, C, D, F: are shichi-ji mei with Sho stamp, taka-no-ha filing, probably not dated, and some more artistic mei by cutting specialist. There are also differences in the shape of the nakago. Looks unusual that his name is Kanemura Tatsuo (Kanetatsu) and he signs Kanematsu Kanetatsu 兼松兼達 on some swords. For sword D, Fuller & Gregory suggested could be a joint effort. This is also suggested for sword H (last sword) by seller Nipponto.co.jp. For interest, there is an example of Kanematsu: "Noshu Seki ju Kanematsu saku" 兼松 sword G, but his name is not in lists.

@Kiipu and @Bruce Pennington the gunto by Yoshimichi with interesting horimono and "甲子大黒天 Kinoene Daikokuten" could be one of three generations (maybe 3rd gen?). Sesko shows: YOSHIMICHI (吉道), 1st gen., Kanbun (寛文, 1661-1673), Settsu – “Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi” (大和守吉道), real name Mishina Uzaemon (三品宇左衛門), second son of the 1st gen. Ōsaka-Tanba, signatures from the first year of Jōō (承応, 1652) to the third year of Enpō (延宝, 1675), mostly a wide mihaba and a thick kasane, the jigane is a dense ko-mokume with ji-nie, the hamon is a chōji in nioi-deki with a sugu-yakidashi and ko-nie. YOSHIMICHI (吉道), 2nd gen., Enpō (延宝, 1673-1681), Settsu – “Settsu – “Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi” (大和守吉道), real name Mishina Shirōbei (三品四郎兵衛), he changed his first name to Den´emon (伝右衛門) and also worked in Himeji in Harima province, so also called Himeji-Yamato (姫路大和). During the Kanbun era (寛文, 1661-1673) he was invited by Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川光圀, 1628-1701) – the daimyō of the Mito fief (水戸藩) – to forge in Mito´s Shichiken-machi (七軒町). (There is also the tradition that it was the 1st gen. Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi who went to Mito). He worked in the style of the 1st gen. but his hamon is slanted. YOSHIMICHI (吉道), 3rd gen., Genroku (元禄, 1688-1704), Settsu – “Settsu – “Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi” (大和守吉道), real name Mishina U´emon (三品宇右衛門), he signed in early years with Yukimichi (幸道). There are plenty of images (and shrines) of Daikokuton

James , very nice looking blade and dated December 1942. On NMB is a paper with his history and examples"

Jonas, OK to use publically available information if uses references, and consider assumptions versus facts.

John, here's some background on Kanenori and colleagues with some examples.

Probably: Seki Unjousai Katsunaga, but may be unlisted 　関 雲上斎 勝永 https://www.google.c...gNScs6C&opi=89978449

some more Yoshishige: Ryoju Naval Officer Military Sword Sword | Hocho Kobido (bocho-kobidou.com) 刀　良重　昭和十八年　 Katana[Yoshisshige]日本刀　刀剣販売 サムライ商会[samurai shokai] Military Sword (Front) Ryoshige (Back) Showa 19 Years Army Sword Entry - Art * Sword * Specialty * Auction! WINNERS (winners-auction.jp) Former Japan Army Army Army Sword Yoshishige with registration certificate 62.3cm Total length 103cm Leather sheath Sword brace scabbard handle 鍔軍服刀緒 (sword, sword)|Auction information bought and sold, Yahoo product information archive release --Oakfan (aucfan.com) other swords below

Chadley, looks like Yoshishige 良重 Komiyama Ryozou 小見 山良造 (or Yoshizou). Born Meiji 35 (1902) January 19, and registered as a Seki tosho on Showa 17 (1942) November 1 age about 40. He was from Seki-machi, Tokiwa-cho. I need to check this. The date is 1943 (Ju hachi nen) but cant decipher his month/day. Blade has Seki stamp. Sesko has him listed as: YOSHISHIGE (良重), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshishige” (良重), real name Komiyama Ryōzō (小宮山良造). Below some examples from Fuller & Gregory, 1983.

Scott, for some background to Tenshozan and more examples: