Help Identifying Katana Please!!

[Bargain]

We found this Katana in a storage unit and the only source we have is Chat GPT. Supposedly the letters on the side translate to “April 1943” and the other side is “Resident of Noshu, Kane”. It seems to think this is an authentic WW2 officers Katana, but we know how AI can be sometimes. Any help or info would be appreciated. Also looking for approximate value from someone who is knowledgeable. Thanks! 

 

CHAT GPT INFO

 

  Smith:Kanenobu（兼信）

  Location: Nöshũ (Mino Province/Seki area)

  Date: April 1943 (Showa 18)

  Length: 26-inch katana

  Mounts: WWII Japanese officer mounts

  Signed and dated tang: Yes

  Visible hamon: Appears present from your photos

  Tang: Original patina intact

 

This is a legitimate WWII Japanese officer's sword, not a decorative reproduction.

[Joseph P.]

Hello Collin,

It looks like an authentic Type 98 gunto to me as well. I think ChatGPT made a few mistakes with the date though.

I believe it is actually dated May 1942. I see the kanji for Jyuu (10) and then the kanji for Nana (7). That means Showa 17.

The kanji for the month seems to be a 5 (Go), but It is a bit sloppy.

[The Blacksmith]

I think it is Noshu ju Takanobu, but if it so the Taka character is a bit badly written. The date is Showa Jyu shichi nen go gatsu.  May 1942.

[uwe]

“亮信” (Akinobu) is my interpretation…

 

AKINOBU (亮信), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Akinobu” (亮信), “Nōshū Seki-jū Toki
Akinobu saku” (濃州関住土岐亮信作), real name Toki Yūichi (土岐雄一), born January 2nd
1907, student of Kanenobu (兼延), died May 14th 1993, he was working as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō and
member of the local Seki Tōken, PLC (関刀剣), he is also listed under the reading “Sukenobu” of his
characters, jōkō no retsu (Akihide), Second Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941).

[Shugyosha]

Looks like it has the ho (ホ) armoury?? stamp on the nakago mune too, the meaning of this is beyond my knowledge but the gunto guys will be able to provide that information.

[ROKUJURO]

Hi Collin,

welcome to the NMB forum!

A plain dark, non-reflecting background would have resulted in better contrast of the photos.

And it is a TACHI, not a KATANA.

[Bruce Pennington]

The small stamp on the back edge is the "HO" of the 1st Factory of the Kokura Army Arsenal.  It's the first Akinobu blade I have on file with the stamp.  Of course there are likely many others as many times, the mune is not shown on auctions and personal posts.  The stamp, by itself is not a sure indicator of whether the blade is traditionally made or not, especially when found on the mune.

 

WWII officer swords normally sell in the $900-1,400 USD range if non-traditionally made.  Higher if traditional.  

[2devnul]

On 6/28/2026 at 10:55 AM, ROKUJURO said:

And it is a TACHI, not a KATANA.

Why? To me it looks like Katana. What I see on pictures is highly possible wartime Gendaito (traditionally made). 

[ROKUJURO]

Adam,

the signature is TACHI MEI, and it is worn TACHI style.
 

[2devnul]

9 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

signature is TACHI MEI

 

You are correct, my mistake. Date is on the other side. 

While looking at both I have a felling that these were done by different (the way they are made) persons. Don't you think? 

[ROKUJURO]

I can't see anything on these photos.

I will send Collin some advice how to make sword photos.

[Bruno]

I read SUKENOBU (Seki smith).

[charlesf]

I also read 'SUKENOBU' which would be Toki Sukenobu who made some nice gendaito.

 

 

charles.

[SteveM]

Uwe's post above mentions both possible readings.

 

"he is also listed under the reading “Sukenobu” of his characters"

[Bruno]

Hard to know wether it is a showato or a gendaito since he made both.

 

mecox wrote on this smith in Seki Toki Swordsmiths.

 

Nice group of smiths anyway.

Edited July 4 by Bruno