Mitsu "?", January 1943 - Help, Please

[Bruce Pennington]

Got the date, Jan '43, but that kanji after the Mitsu seeeeems to be "masa" but the stroke that should be on the back, left, is on the front right!  I'm stumped

 

[John C]

Could the second kanji be tama?

John C.

[Grey Doffin]

Looks like Mitsutama and November of 1943. Grey

[Bruce Pennington]

Edokko, at Warrelics said this

 

”The smith name is Kogyoku, true name Kashio Goto, registered as a Seki gunto swordsmith in March 13, 1943. The date on the tang reads Nov. 1943.
This sword is a Type 98 Gunto (1938) and not the Type 94 Gunto (1934). “

 

It’s just an unusual sounding name, and I can’t find him in Sesko’s reference, or any name, starting with an K and this character.

[Grey Doffin]

Fuller & Gregory have him as Mitsutama in their Swordsmiths of Japan 1926 - 1945. Grey

[Bruce Pennington]

1 hour ago, Grey Doffin said:

Fuller & Gregory have him as Mitsutama in their Swordsmiths of Japan 1926 - 1945. Grey

Oh Bingo!  I was doing errands and didn't have a chance to look this up until now.

From the Japaneseswordindex.com:

光玉 (Mitsutama) Real Name: 後藤 甲子夫

 

Thanks guys!!!

[mecox]

Bruce and others:  yes its “Mitsutama” (光玉), real name Gotō Kishio (後藤甲子夫), born September 15th 1908 (Meiji 41), registered as a Seki gunto swordsmith in March 13, 1943 (Showa 18) age 34 and was living in Gifu, Kamo-gun, Tahara-mura, Hasana-mura.  Not much info about him.