Gendaito translation assistance

[Nicholas]

I just picked up this sword and I’m having trouble with the full translation. I see Kaneyoshi but can’t get the rest. Please help.

[Conway]

It’s signed Kawai Kaneyoshi. See the below excerpt from Sesko:

 

KANEYOSHI (兼義), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kaneyoshi” (兼義), real name Kawai Yoshifumi (河合義文), born October 25th 1902, nephew of Watanabe Kanenaga (渡辺兼永), he worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Second Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

 

Dated May 1944… Not 100% sure about the month, but that’s my best guess. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice star blade, Nicholas!  Could I get a shot of the full blade and fittings for the files?

I only had one other of his on file, with the star.

[Nicholas]

Looks right thanks @Conway. Medium grade Gendaito. Japanese swordsmith index has him as Joko No Retsu (Chu Saku). I’m not sure what Akihide is? 

[Conway]

Also in Sesko:

 

When it comes to gendaitō and especially WWII-era smiths, this publication includes the ranking of about 300 contemporary smiths carried out by Kurihara Akihide (栗原昭秀) in 1942 under the title Seidai Tōshō Iretsu Ichiran (聖代刀匠位列一覧). He introduced seven ranks:

shinpin no retsu (神品の列) Supreme masterworks

kihin-jōi (貴品上位) Superior precious works

kihin no retsu (貴品の列) Precious works

jōko no jōi (上工の上位) Superior master

jōkō no retsu (上工の列) Master

ryōkō no jōi (良工の上位) Superior skilled artisan

ryōkō no retsu (良工の列) Skilled artisan

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tosho.htm

 

[Nicholas]

@Bruce Pennington

[Nicholas]

@Conway gotcha, that’s the website I got the Joko No Retsu reference for this smith.

     Interesting sword from a smith I’ve never encountered before. Not my cup of tea. I’ll  most likely put it up for sale.