need help with a showato from seki

[budodeshi]

First off i want to give thanks to any one that can help me with my first aquisition.I went a pawn shop here in kamloops bc canada to buy tool for work the owner had a few chinese made katanas for sale so that got the convo started.at one point he had me wait for a sec as he whent in the back to get something.he's back with a really nice gunto so i striped it down to see the nakago. thats when a see the seki stamp.im going to buy the sword anyway but id realy like to get started on the fun of doing the research on it but im kind of limited on the know how and were to start.

Im paying 1500$ for it iv put down 500$ so far and hope to have it payed off in a month or so.

 

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... eg_2_2.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... CF4330.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... CF4333.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... CF4332.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... CF4326.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... CF4327.jpg

[Dave S]

The last Kanji is Mitsu.Need a better pic.She looks really nice.Good luck.Dave

[Grey Doffin]

When Seki is involved the 1st Kanji is often Kane, which it is here.

Grey

[george trotter]

Hard to see date etc, but the signature is Kanemitsu. The date appears to be Kigen 2 thousand 6 hundred....

This is 1940 but may be 41, 42, 43 etc...can't see.

There were 2 seki smiths named Kanemitsu (Ogawa and Goto)...don't know which he is.

Blade is typical seki gunto and has survived in nice condition.

 

I used to live in Vancouver and my auntie was in White Rock over the Patello Bridge.

regards,

[budodeshi]

so would kane be Province name, were it was made?

[budodeshi]

wow you guys are fast thank you so much

[Grey Doffin]

Hi David,

Kanemitsu is the name of the smith. This Kanji 兼　is read kane on sword signatures and is especially connected with smiths from the Mino Den of sword making. Mino was/is the province name; Seki is a city in the province.

Grey

[Bruno]

I know it is a showato, but this one looks pretty well made.

[budodeshi]

Were could i find info on this smith.

[Brian]

It's unlikely you will find out more than you already know. One of the 2 smiths working in Seki during the war..this one is semi mass-produced..basically an arsenal blade which is still in good condition. Oil quenched, but a nice example. I think you paid top dollar for it...but condition is everything so militaria collectors would put a premium on it. Don't know if there is much more you can find out.

 

Brian

[Markus]

[edit]wrong reply removed

[Markus]

Hi David. I quote the two Seki-based smiths mentioned by George of that time from my "Index of Japanese Swordsmiths".

 

 

Kanemitsu (兼光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kanemitsu“ (兼光), civilian name „Gotō Shōzō“ (後藤松蔵), student of Kanenaga (兼永), born July 20th 1887, he worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō and died on March 18th 1957

Kanemitsu (兼光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kanemitsu“ (兼光), civilian name „Ogawa Mitsuo“ (小川光雄), born January 20th 1922, he worked as guntō smith and fell in World War II on July 8th 1944

[jason y]

I believe that $1500 is good price for seller but not for the buyer for this sword.

I am pretty sure that you will find better sword at better $$ if you could await and research more about sword.

[budodeshi]

Thank you so much for all the info

The reason im buying this sword is for the fact i can make payments.and a good chance ill mount it in civilains mounts and use it for iaido i started with a live blade many years ago and allways used chinese made swords...time to move on and its a good place to further my understanding of the exstensive world of the Japanese sword....

[hxv]

Dear David,

 

On the 4th picture from the top, the hamon seems to run off the blade at about 1 or 2 inches above the habaki. It could be the angle and lighting, too. The next time you see the blade, check it out.

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[budodeshi]

ya i saw that too ill check it out next time im there