Help required

[Mike Noel]

Gents

Can anybody translate the signature for me. I am currently restoring the blade from the hamon size and weight of the blade I think it is a gunto blade.

I am new to the forum and not sure what I can bring for the benefit of others. I can polish, tie handles make sayas Kurikatas and the like so any help I can offer with this please ask.

 

Mike

[Bugyotsuji]

Try, Seki Unjosai Katsunaga

For example:

旧日本陸軍九八式軍刀拵入り.雲上斎

https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/l1121008323/

https://www.token-net.com/soldout/201511-28.html

[Mike Noel]

Hi Piers

Thanks for the reply. I have no understanding of Kanji I haven't found the smith in any of my books but the first link you have given me plus the name was helpful. A brief online search of the name has also come up with some information, an undocumented Gunto smith providing swords to the army and the navy. 

All very helpful thank you very much.

 

Regards

 

Mike

[Brian]

Mike,
You'll find that amateur (non traditional/fully trained) polishing is frowned up on here, and we don't advocate for it. Welcome to the forum, I'm sure there will be some interested in your other services, but best to avoid the topic of polishing to avoid the usual debate and criticism.

[Mike Noel]

Hi Brian

Thanks for the heads up. I have been polishing for over 20 years and don't take on any work for other people, my only comment on the subject of polishing would be know your limitations and pick your battles. I have had Les Stewart in Scotland polish some pieces for me as I accept that he is a better polisher than me by a long measure but I really do appreciate the information. I am well aware of the damage done to perfectly good swords by bemused individuals with delusions of adequacy and will no longer mention polishing in my posts.

 

Mike

[Brian]

Thanks Mike, appreciate your understanding. Saves us all another huge back and forth debate that has been done to death here.
Ads for your sword, with that "chippy" style mei, it's almost certainly a Showato. I'll leave the translation up to those more qualified than myself.