Military sword tang signature and stamp

[gasman]

I was given this sword recently. I don't know anything about it or Japanese swords other than what I've been reading. Can anyone tell me what the stamp and writing on the tang mean? 

[SteveM]

The small stamp is a "Seki" stamp (関) meaning it was a sword that was made in/around Seki for the war effort. You can find a ton of information on this site if you search for terms related to Seki. The writing is the smith's name: Ishihara Yoshisada saku (石原義定作), which means "made by ISHIHARA Yoshisada". 

 

Looks like its in good shape. 

 

Edit: Seki is a location in Japan. It is in Gifu Prefecture. 

[Bruce Pennington]

How about a closer look at the hamon, Gary (the temper line).  These with the large Seki stamp usually have nice patterns.  Also, is that saya (scabbard) chromed?  If not, looks like someone, likely post-war, removed the fittings and stripped the original paint down to the metal. 

 

Type 98 Japanese officer sword, if you haven't already figured that out.

[gasman]

Wow! Thank you guys for the info! Yes the scabbard appears to be chrome plated. I haven't seen anything like that in any pictures so makes sense that it was done later.

Do you know what time period it was made?

Here some pics of the hamon and tsuka.  Have to get it in the right light. The pieces of the tsuba are all stamped with a "58".