Sword Indentification

[Will_766]

Hi,

 

I’m hoping for some assistance with translating and identifying the mei on a katana in my possession. It was my father’s that I pulled out of his safe. 

 

The blade is signed, and the mei appears to reference a Seki Kane-smith, but I would greatly appreciate confirmation, correction, or any additional insight.

 

The tang has a dark, natural patina with one mekugi-ana. The blade is mounted in traditional koshirae. I do not have papers for this sword.

 

I have attached photos of the full blade, both sides of the nakago, close-ups of the mei, and the koshirae.

 

Any help with reading the mei, possible smith attribution, time period, or whether the signature may be gimei would be sincerely appreciated.

 

Thank you very much for your time and expertise.

[xiayang]

濃州関住兼松作 = Nōshū Seki-jū Kanematsu saku

[John C]

Will:

In addition to the translation, the Sho stamp indicates it is a non-traditionally made sword and was made during WW2. The mounts are referred to as type 98 and would have had a tassel originally (either blue and brown company grade or red and brown field grade). 

 

John C.

[mecox]

Will, as Jan notes mei is Nōshū Seki-jū Kanematsu saku.  However, its a bit confusing as there is no  Kanematsu registered in WW2 Seki, but there are several with Kanematsu as given name.  Also some signed Kanematsu Kanetatsu.  It was earlier though it may be joint  work, but could be the one smith.  Not fully sure, but check out earlier posts.

 

[Bruce Pennington]

I have a blade on file signed Kanematsu Kanetatsu, but none with just Kanematsu.  Could be one of those guys that changed their mei over time.  

 

Will,

Do you know the history of this gunto?  How did your father get it?

This is an interesting gunto, in that the tsuka (handle) might be a replacement.  There was no hole drilled through the eyelet in the kabutogane (end cap) and there is no chuso (locking latch).  It appears new and unused.  Also, the kabutogane has little of the fine detail normally seen, which is something we often see in late-war fittings.  In an article about the field repair teams, they stated that the majority of their work was due to broken tsuka, so I think this is possible in your case.  Unless, of course, the gunto was simply missing the tsuka in years gone by and someone along the way found one to put on this.

[Will_766]

Bruce,

 

I do not have much history on it, I come

from a family of U.S. Marines and this sword my father had in his safe as long as I can remember as a kid. He passed away a few years ago and I am trying to help my mom with appraising and selling some of things he had including this. Any direction I would gladly appreciate it.

 

thank you. 

[mecox]

@Bruce Pennington    @Kiipu    here is an unusual shingunto mount for well known Gifu smith Amahide

 

Yahoo!オークション - 【ASAHI】鍛え肌立つ健全豪壮で美しい一振り 一...

濃州関住一文字源天秀鍛之      Noshu Seki ju  Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide kitaeru kore

Torokusho (Showa 34 (1959) May, from Shimane) :   notes an ura mei of Shigenaga    重長　(not sure if owner).

nagasa:  63.6 cm   sori:  1.5 cm     

not sure of fittings  kanji and how to read:    maybe "Jitsuyou......"   practical ??     　㐧 320020 号     (not sure how to read)      Is this some type of patented hanger for gunto saya

most unusual hamon

 

        

[Kiipu]

Mal, see the thread below for more information.

Mei and "serial number" on saya

[Bruce Pennington]

12 hours ago, Will_766 said:

Bruce,

 

I do not have much history on it, I come

from a family of U.S. Marines and this sword my father had in his safe as long as I can remember as a kid. He passed away a few years ago and I am trying to help my mom with appraising and selling some of things he had including this. Any direction I would gladly appreciate it.

 

thank you. 

Ok, thanks, Will.  

 

You can try posting the sword for sale on the NMB For Sale forum.  You can click on a few of the posts to get an idea of how to present and list it.

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/130-swords-and-edged-weapons/

 

Otherwise, most guys would post it on ebay.  There are auction houses that sell stuff, too.