WWII Japanese Officer's Katana, 兼吉作 (Kaneyoshi saku)

[yoda]

Hello all,
This is my first post here, and I would like to ask the group for some help in verifying the authenticity of this one.
Any additional information would be appreciated,
especially regarding the horimono on the flat of the blade.

Thank you.

[Rawa]

Full tang with mei please. Is there any stamp? It can hide just near habaki. Measurements? Looks like wakizashi to me.

Looks similar but yours is shorter. Possibly daimei.

[yoda]

I will take a better picture tomorrow.

This is the other side 

[Nobody]

Its mei is 関兼延 - Seki Kanenobu.

 

[Trenchnut]

Anyone noticed the horimono? Wouldn‘t wonder if this is a recent marriage of otherwise interesting parts.

[yoda]

Seeking Identification: Unique Flame/Cloud Horimono on Seki Kanenobu–Signed Katana

 

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

 

I have a (WWII-era??) Japanese officer’s katana signed 関兼延 (Seki Kanenobu). The tang (mei) is clearly carved, and the sword has all the hallmarks of a Shin-Guntō from the Showa era (polished steel, authentic hamon, leather-covered scabbard, tassel, etc.).

 

What stands out to me is the intricate horimono on the shinogi-ji (flat of the blade):

 

• It resembles a flame or cloud swirl motif—perhaps reminiscent of a flaming jewel (hōju) or kurikara-ken, but abstracted.
• The engraving is finely chiseled and deeply carved, likely hand-done and not mass produced.
• I’ve uploaded two photos: one of the full katana and a close-up of the horimono.

 

 

My questions are:

 

1. Does this motif align with any known Buddhist or decorative symbolism found in Seki smithing?
2. Is this horimono documented on any Kanenobu blades, or similar blades from other traditions?
3. Could this be a custom personal engraving (e.g. religious, protective), or something added later?
4. If someone has seen similar horimono, could you point me to examples or references?

 

 

I’d appreciate any insights, comparison images, or feedback from scholars or collectors. Thank you!

[Rawa]

5 hours ago, Trenchnut said:

Anyone noticed the horimono? Wouldn‘t wonder if this is a recent marriage of otherwise interesting parts.

@IJASWORDS show some examples of genuine gunto with horimono.

[Bruce Pennington]

I, too, have seen an occasional horimono on WWII blades.  Kanenobu was RJT qualified, and I have star-stamped blades by him from '42-'45.  Any chance there is a star above his mei?  Although, without a date, it probably doesn't have a star on second thought.

 

The horimono appears, to me, to be the flaming jewel symbol from Buddhism.  I'm no expert on that, though.

[David Flynn]

There were two generations of Kanenobu.  Father and Son.

[John C]

Just for comparison, here is the mei from my Kanenobu gendaito. 1944 star stamped signed Noshu ju kanenobu. 

Not sure which is father and which is son. Note: the hamon is similar in style to yours.

 

John C.

[ROKUJURO]

This thread belongs in the military section, I think.