Translation help please

[Rookie101]

Hello,  I have an old sword that I have been asking around for help.    It seems the people that "know" just want to buy it and not help me.       Can anyone please help me with this writing.     Im not interested in selling it but would like to know what I have and possibly a value just so I know.    thanks in advance.     Mike P

[Bruce Pennington]

This is better:

[Rookie101]

I suppose that does make more since to have the blade up.   I had zero idea which way was correct.   thanks

[SteveM]

It says

石川兼次鍛之　Ishikawa Kanetsugu kitau kore (made by Kanetsugu ISHIKAWA)

 

I couldn't find any references to this smith. Could you post pictures of the actual blade? 

[Rookie101]

Here are a couple of blade pics.    Thank you for the help.     Mike P

[Bruce Pennington]

There are 2 Kanetsugu listed in the Japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata but the "tsugu" is different on both.

[Rookie101]

In your experience is that because the builder was sub par or is there another reason?    And are you thinking like WW II era?    Any opinion on the damage to the sharp side edge of the blade,  weather it is from abuse or combat?   thanks Mike

[cisco-san]

Hi,

 

I guess it is from WW II area and the damage seems not from a fight - maybe somebody tried to cut something to see how sharp the blade is (or from Tameshigiri).....

 

 

[Rookie101]

LOL,  Thank you for all of your assistance.   I sincerely appreciate the help.     Godspeed