Matt Davis Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 This sword is my prized possession my grandpa gave me this sword he bought back from WWII the handle got burned in a fire but this sword is priceless to me any help translating it would be greatly appreciated Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 Hi James, Looks like: 兼住 (Kanesumi); dated 1941. The stamp is blurry, but is likely the larger Seki stamp of the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. So, probably a well made showato. Sesko lists 2 smiths by that name that worked during WWII: "KANESUMI (兼住), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanesumi” (兼住), real name Satō Kōhachi (佐藤幸八), born October 10th 1891, he worked as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō KANESUMI (兼住), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanesumi” (兼住), real name Sakō Hideichi (酒向秀市), student of Kanenobu (兼延), he died February 21st 1973" Can we get a couple of photos of the full blade, and fittings, as well as a close-up of the hamon (temper pattern)? Quote
mecox Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 @Matt Davis @Bruce Pennington As noted by Bruce looks like Kanesumi Sato sword dated as Showa 16 (1941). However, SEARCH this NMB for some other interesting discussion Kanesumi 兼住 Sato Kohachi 佐藤 幸八 (can also be read “Yukiya”) Born: Meiji 24 (1891) Oct 10 Reg. Registered as a Seki tosho: 1940, Dec 27. Address 1940: Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura. Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho Example mei: Kanesumi 兼住 (1943, Nov) Sato Kanesumi saku 佐藤兼住作 (Sho/sakura stamp) (also Tan stamp, another sword) Seki ju nin Sato Kanesumi saku kore 関住人佐藤兼住作之 Pics below: yours, Fuller & Gregory, Slough. 1 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 Regarding the way the Mei is cut, I see several problems. 住 for example would surely never be written like that. 1 Quote
mecox Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 Maybe , I think the whole mei and date are cut in a strange way. Earlier discussion on this went on for many posts. 1 1 Quote
Matt Davis Posted October 23 Author Report Posted October 23 7 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said: Hi James, Looks like: 兼住 (Kanesumi); dated 1941. The stamp is blurry, but is likely the larger Seki stamp of the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. So, probably a well made showato. Sesko lists 2 smiths by that name that worked during WWII: "KANESUMI (兼住), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanesumi” (兼住), real name Satō Kōhachi (佐藤幸八), born October 10th 1891, he worked as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō KANESUMI (兼住), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanesumi” (兼住), real name Sakō Hideichi (酒向秀市), student of Kanenobu (兼延), he died February 21st 1973" Can we get a couple of photos of the full blade, and fittings, as well as a close-up of the hamon (temper pattern)? Thank you so much for everything you have already done I'll get more pics now like I said it was in a fire and not taken care of like it should have been before my grandpa gave it to me so any extra info on what to do to it to help it please let me know Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted October 23 Report Posted October 23 Interesting! In Tachi fittings. I only have 6 Kanesumi blades on file, and 3 of them are in non-standard fittings - 1 Gunzoku; one Type 95; and this tachi. FWIW the mei of each varies more than "normal", so while this one is the poorest cut, it doesn't surprise me. Quote
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