Tang translation assistance please

[Josharic]

Hello friends,

 

I’m looking for a translation if you all might help.  The blade has a Seki stamp I believe.  Looking at references I thought maybe Yoshinori for the smith?

[Nobody]

関松山嘉則 – Seki, Matsuyama Yoshinori

[Bruce Pennington]

First blade I have seen from him:

YOSHINORI (嘉則), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshinori” (嘉則), real name Matsuyama Umeharu (松山梅春), ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

[Josharic]

Thank you both for the help.  Much appreciated!

[mecox]

@Josharic & @Bruce Pennington  as noted your swordsmith is from Gifu, Yoshinori” (嘉則), real name Matsuyama Umeharu (松山梅春).  He was born Meiji 43 (1910) August 26 and from Nagasumi-cho in Seki-machi.   He registered as a Seki swordsmith on Showa 17 (1942) April 9 (age 31).   In the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai exhibition in 1941 he was ranked as Fifth Seat (5/5).  In 1942 there was a list (Banzuke) of around 400 swordsmiths;  with around another 44 smiths he was an additional late entry, in the category of Shinshin （新進)  ("new comer") (5/5). 

Some oshigata:

1.  Seki Matsuyama Yoshinori saku (Japanese Gendai Swordsmiths). 

2. 勇 現代刀業物 関住松山嘉則 軍刀展刀匠第1部新作刀第五席新進 二尺一寸四分五厘 切れ味のいい傑作刀 蔵出し 刀 日本刀(刀、太刀)｜売買されたオークション情報、yahooの商品情報をアーカイブ公開 - オークファン（aucfan.com）   (nagasa 65.0 cm, sori 1.1 cm)

 

                         

 

[Josharic]

Thank you @mecox  Really great information.  Based on your description above would I be correct to describe this smith as producing lower quality non-traditionally made blades of the era?  I’m not clear if 5/5 is still on a list of the best or a more comprehensive list of the time.

[mecox]

Your Seki stamp shows that sword is not traditionally made.  He is probably in the low-medium grade Showato range.