Help Translating a Japanese Katana

[LightningFox0124]

Hello all my mentor just gifted me a Japanese Katana that needs restoration, but I am curious on the name of the maker. I have had little success with online translation tools so I was seeking help here. Attached are a few angles of the tang. Any help would be appreciated! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2025 by LightningFox0124
Orientation of photos.

[Brian]

Upside down. Edit the post and repost the right way up

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Tyler, welcome to the forum. The photos do need to be the other way round but I can see a fairly typical WWII style of Mei that more or less reads "Noshu Ju Seki Kane___Saku". This basically means "Made in Seki by *smiths name*". The small stamp indicates this was a non-traditional officers sword made during the war. In terms of restoration your options are limited, at the very least don't attempt anything yourself beyond keeping the blade thinly coated in a light gun oil.

 

https://japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm 

[Nobody]

関住前川兼継作之 (Seki ju Maekawa Kanetsugu saku kore) – Maekawa Kanetsugu in Seki made this.

[LightningFox0124]

Thank you all. I flipped the photos so here are the photos the correct way. 

[Bruce Pennington]

The large Seki stamp at top gives you a bit of an idea of when your blade was made.  It was used by the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1940 to 1944, but most blades we see that have dates were made in 1942.  So, a general idea.

[mecox]

@LightningFox0124     Tyler,    your  sword would not be made of traditional iron or methods, but be a semi-machine made using a "western" style steel, but likely still well made.  Its a bit confusing as there are several wartime Kanetsugu.  But yours looks like Maekawa Genichi.   The attached paper from NMB Downloads gives the  context of his work, with examples and also shows the variations in mei and signature style.  Also demonstrates some of the difficulties to determine the smith. 

As a note, yours has 2 holes in  nakago, suggesting a remount.  What are the mounts?