Kanemasu as gifts

[Alex A]

Another long shot.

 

 Kanemasu blades being given as gifts ?, this is the only page i have ever seen it written.

 

Common knowledge in Japan maybe anyone know anything or seen it written elsewhere.

[SteveM]

This Japanese site notes that same custom, but it says the smith (and the kanji) are different to the one above.

 

Above = 兼升

Link below = 兼増

 

Both names are read identically as "Kanemasu", but the meaning of the "masu" below means to increase, so it seems slightly more plausible for the one on the Japanese site. 

 

https://www.touken-world.jp/search/22352/

[Alex A]

Thanks Steve, much appreciated.

 

A small curiosity ive had for a while, good to throw some light on it.

 

The page above is from "Bushido vol2 no1 1980" so a long time ago. The writer does speak of the sound only, be good to find out where they got their info from but doubt thats going to happen.

 

Most of the smiths for both variants, 兼升 and  兼増 are pre 1600,

 

Maybe with illiteracy in those times a little confusion but sounding the same, then maybe

 

Cheers again!