Translation Assistance with Type 3

[Joseph P.]

Hello All,

 

I request some assistance with translation and the stamps. I only know it may be signed "Michizane". There appears to be a very small Seki stamp (If I'm seeing it correctly) on one side, then another stamp on the other side which I'm not able to identify. The tsuba is stamped on both sides as well. To my eyes it seems to be the same pattern of Seki on one side and the unknown on the other, except the Seki stamp is much larger on the tsuba.

I read a bit about stamps on this website but there is a lot to take in. Apologies in advance for my less than satisfactory photos, here is a link to the google album with a few more photos, assuming the link works.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wBmixFMk4K3tACc29

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[Joseph P.]

[Bruce Pennington]

Made in November 1944.  I think you have the name right.  Sesko lists 2 by that name working during the war:

"MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), real name Kosaka Takao (小坂隆男), born February 20th 1921, he worked as guntō smith and died December 17th 1964
MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), family name Nagao (長尾), he worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)"

 

You got the small Seki stamp right, of the Nagoya Army Arsenal Seki inspector.  The other is the "Gifu" stamp.  Not much known about it.  It showed up in 1943 - 1945 on Gifu/Seki area blades.  Likely another Nagoya arsenal inspector.

[Joseph P.]

On 6/28/2025 at 8:34 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

Made in November 1944.  I think you have the name right.  Sesko lists 2 by that name working during the war:

"MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), real name Kosaka Takao (小坂隆男), born February 20th 1921, he worked as guntō smith and died December 17th 1964
MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), family name Nagao (長尾), he worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)"

 

You got the small Seki stamp right, of the Nagoya Army Arsenal Seki inspector.  The other is the "Gifu" stamp.  Not much known about it.  It showed up in 1943 - 1945 on Gifu/Seki area blades.  Likely another Nagoya arsenal inspector.

 

Thanks so much Bruce. I made an attempt at translating the date but I was off, getting better though. I am studying kanji right now and I had trouble with what I assume is the 4 or 44. After you provided the correct translation, the month portion made more sense to me.

[nulldevice]

24 minutes ago, Joseph P. said:

 

Thanks so much Bruce. I made an attempt at translating the date but I was off, getting better though. I am studying kanji right now and I had trouble with what I assume is the 4 or 44. After you provided the correct translation, the month portion made more sense to me.

It would be:
Showa - 昭和

10 - 十

9 - 九

Year - 年

10 - 十

1 - 一

Month - 月

 

All together, Showa 19th year, 11th month (November 1944) 

 

Showa was an era of Japanese history corresponding to Emperor Hirohito (Showa) from 1926 (Showa 1) to 1989 (Showa 64) when he died. 

[mecox]

@Bruce Pennington @Joseph P.   there looks to be an error in the Sesko list with two smiths (from original Seki list):

 

Made in November 1944.  I think you have the name right.  Sesko lists 2 by that name working during the war:

"MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), real name Kosaka Takao (小坂隆男), born February 20th 1921, he worked as guntō smith and died December 17th 1964
MICHIZANE (道真), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Michizane” (道真), family name Nagao (長尾), he worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)

 

There is only one MICHIZANE and his real name was NAGAO TAKAO    道真　長尾　隆男　born Taisho 10 (1921) February 20, registered as a Seki smith on Showa 16 (1941) August 7.   He was a student of Asano Kanezane.  In 1942 Banzuke (Akihide) listed as Nagao Michizane.

Looks to be also read as MICHISANE, but more likely "zane" is correct as a student of "Kanezane".  These NOSHU examples with Sho stamp look to be katana-mei and well made Showato. 

Your blade is later war Nov 1944 and as  noted through Nagoya Arsenal with small Seki stamp and Gifu stamp.   Also is signed tachi-mei  and in rinji seishiki koshirae.  "Zane" is cut slightly different.

 

 

                                                                                                          

 

 

[Joseph P.]

Thank you all for the assistance. Very helpful for learning some of these kanji.