Completely lost on translation of mei.

[kh337]

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I inherited this sword from from my grandfather, who brought it back from Japan after WWII. Looked to be a type 98 Shin Gunto. I am completely lost on even identifying any of the characters. Any help would be most welcome.

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

kh337,

please sign all posts with at least your first name plus an initial; it is a rule here.

Your sword may well be an older one which was worn in WWII. It is signed KANESADA. You may search for him in the net, there are many swordsmiths who used that name.
To give you a better assessment we need to see the whole blade and important details like the tip, the forging grain and the hardened cutting edge if the condition and the polish allows.

[John A Stuart]

Noshu Fujiwara Kanesada, I believe.   包貞   John

[kh337]

Thank you!

 

Apologies for not introducing myself.

 

I will see if I can get some decent pictures of the blade. The blade is not in the best condition, but does have hamon & hada present.

 

Thank you again for your help, I can't tell you how much it is appreciated,

 

Chris G.

[SteveM]

Yes, Kanesada, but the first one is 摂, so 

 

摂州藤原包貞　

 

Sesshū Fujiwara Kanesada

[ROKUJURO]

Chris,

if the condition of your blade allows, please compare with: https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-sesshu-fujiwara-kanesada/.

Is there a date on the other side of the tang? Please consider that many false signatures have been used! 

You will find some recommendations here on the board about care, handling and etiquette of swords.

[kh337]

Thank you everyone!

 

I used Noshu Fujiwara Kanesada from the comments to search last night and arrived at Sesshū Fujiwara Kanesada and the blade (https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-sesshu-fujiwara-kanesada/) to compare to, along with this entry: https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN280. I am glad that further comments validated that time spent.

 

To my completely untrained eye, the mei looked incredibly similar in style and substance between the two. Much more similar than any others I have seen in the last few years of looking.

 

I could find no other markings on the tang.

 

Also, I do not know if this helps but measured the blade according to the instructions at https://japaneseswordindex.com/measure.htm and came up with:

 

910mm Full length

703mm Blade length

 

Here are some more pictures of the blade with some closeups that hopefully show the grain and tempering line better. I also included a side by side image of the two mei.

 

You guys are awesome for all the help you are giving.

 

Cheers,

Chris G.

[ROKUJURO]

Chris,

without being able to comment on the authenticity of the MEI (signature), I have the impression that the FUJI and the KANE differ from the comparison piece. However, it seems to be a KANBUN era blade with an interesting HAMON. Might be very nice when properly polished.

[vajo]

This is a nice sword.

[kh337]

Thank you so much, Jean, John, & Steve.

 

I am a little speechless as to what you all have managed to figure out. I'd always been drawn to that sword since I was a kid, and it was passed down to me in my grandmother's will.

 

Now I am researching the proper path to care for it properly going forward and to possibly get it polished.

 

Thank you again, I am most grateful for your assistance.

 

Cheers,

Chris G.