Another mei translation help please

[drb 1643]

I have had this sword for years and am hoping for a translation of both sides please. I’ve come up with Kazutsugu, but couldn’t find any information about him. Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all very much,

Tom

[xiayang]

一継 = Kazutsugu

 

紀元二千六百一年十月吉日 = on an auspicious day in October of Kōki 2601 (i.e., 1941 CE)

 

I'm somewhat less certain about the other side.  Here's my attempt, happy to be corrected:

 

護皇旗之御刀 = sword for protecting the imperial banner

 

於成蹊學園鍛鍊塲謹作 = forged and respectfully made at Seikei Gakuen

 

[SteveM]

@drb 1643Looks like you posted this back in 2018.

 

 

[drb 1643]

Yes Steve, and in all this time I haven’t been able to find any information on this smith. I was wondering if there was an alternate name that could possibly go with this mei. 
Thanks for any updated information.

Tom

[NewB]

.. most likely 

 

 

 

J

[Kiipu]

On 2/13/2023 at 5:18 PM, drb 1643 said:

I was wondering if there was an alternate name that could possibly go with this mei.

 

Little is known about the forge other than it started as a shrine and later a forge was established to help with the war effort.  The location is known and the gate is still standing at the school.  However, the rest is long gone.  Exactly who the master swordsmith was, I do not know.  Have you tried contacting Chris Bowen about this?  He specializes in the swordsmiths of Tōkyō.

 

So far, your blade is the only one I have seen.  Hopefully, more than one blade has survived the ravages of time.

[drb 1643]

Thank you very much Thomas for your input. No, I haven’t contacted Chris yet but I will at your suggestion.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

Tom

[SteveM]

I wonder if Seikei University wouldn't also be able to answer an inquiry. They have a contact address...I wonder if their admin department (or history dept?) could verify if they had a forge on their premises during the war. 

 

https://www.seikei.ac.jp/university/eng/info/contact.html