Mei Translation On Ww Ll Katana

[rantoulpawn]

My first post, please excuse any lack of formality, or due process. I take instruction well, and appreciate any necessary tutoring. I have enjoyed collecting Japanese edged weapons for some time, but for no worthy reason, not made time to know more about reading mei. But never too late, matching kanji, matching oshigata, back and forth to research books, but with out knowledgeable people to bounce off, it is risky knowledge at best. HELP! I purchased this sword in May Of 98. Forged blade, no date, 26 1/4 inch plus nakago. Gunto mountings. I will try to post a few photos, fingers crossed, technically challenged as well. Pat 

[Jean]

Smith name is Kane Yoshi

[rantoulpawn]

Thank you so much for the reply. I was hovering around Kane Fugi. If I can be of service..Pat

[SwordGuyJoe]

From sesko’s Index:

Kaneyoshi (包義), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kaneyoshi“ (包義), civilian name „Kotani Yoshizō“ (小谷義三), he worked as guntō

smith and died April 14th 1950, posthumous Buddhist name „Hyakuren´in Hōgi“ (百錬院包義)

[rantoulpawn]

Thank you Joe, I take this to be Hawley's  Kan-3112. I have looked at an oshigata of his, the file pattern  on nakago looks the same. Is it odd that this  is signed tashi, not katana?. Thank you for your time and knowledge. 

[ROKUJURO]

Patrick,

welcome to the NM board!

Military blades were worn as TACHI.

[rantoulpawn]

Thank you for the welcome Jean, and the info, I was not aware of that. Thinking back of pictures, it becomes obvious, but why then are most WWll tangs signed the other way? Just because, or is there some protocol?

[SwordGuyJoe]

Most WW2 blades are signed Tachi mei, as indicated, when mounted for military service, they were worn as Tachi. This doesn’t mean that there are no katana mei blades from WW2. There was the Iai and marshal arts markets, as well as special order blades. But those knowingly being created for the military will be signed Tachi mei.

[rantoulpawn]

Thank You Joe!