Japanese Sword Mei Translation Request

[AQBTX]

Hello lovely sword people! I have a Japanese sword that was given to me by my teacher. He did not give me the translation when he gave it to me, but told me it was several centuries old and made in Japan. I would really love to identify the maker, and anything else the inscription brings. 

 

I have some understanding it makes some comment about the sea. I'll add some pictures, more upon request. I've tried my best to clean up the Kanji in a png.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Ali,

Sorry to tell you, but this blade was made during WWII.  The small Showa stamp at the top was used from 1935 - 1945, but mostly 1940-1941.  The smith is a Seki area smith named Kanemichi.  

 

Someone else can give the full translation.

[AQBTX]

Hmm. I was given to understand that it was a family blade that was purposed during WWII - something that officers did at the time. Obviously, I could be well wrong of course.

[uwe]

As Bruce pointed out, it is “濃州関住藤原兼道作” (Noshū Seki jū Fujiwara Kanemichi saku). 

[Volker62]

"Noshu Seki Ju Fujiwara Kanemichi saku"

 

earlier signature Kanetoki

[Bruce Pennington]

16 minutes ago, AQBTX said:

Hmm. I was given to understand that it was a family blade that was purposed during WWII - something that officers did at the time. Obviously, I could be well wrong of course.

This was done with old blades, that's true.  But this one was made during the war.

[AQBTX]

Firstly, thank you all so much for being so helpful on this. I'm just seeking clarity - please don't take this as argumentative. Far be it for me to come and ask experts then argue the answer 

 

濃州関住藤原兼道作

 

Third Character: I'm not seeing that character. What I'm getting is : 渓

 

I have no idea if that makes any difference at all..

 

[AQBTX]

Elsewhere I'm finding this:

 

 濃州関住藤原兼道作 Made by Kanemich Fujiwara of Seki in Nohshyu. He was a smith born in July 1902, real name was 小島時次郎 Tokijiro Kojima.
 

Which fully supports your translation and name. He did most of his work in WWII. 

 

Well, I guess that's closed! Thank you all for solving this one 

[mecox]

Ali,  in NMB Downloads his history and examples:

 

 

[AQBTX]

Wow, thank you! I'm looking forward to looking through this!

 

Even thought the blade wasn't what I thought it was, I'm really excited to know its history. It's a beautiful blade (and heavy)!