Help please with identifying this Japanese sword :)

t1mpani

t1mpani

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
5,515
Hello Sirs,
I swear, you help ONE GUY find out about his sword, and an entire network of people descend upon you with "hey, can you find out about my Grandpa's old katana from World War 2?" So, once again, I must ask the help of the Knowledgeable. Again, the owner is not looking for a sale, but rather just hopes to enrich his knowledge of a family heirloom. I've tried to take the pictures from the angles that have been asked for in the past, and of course can follow up with anything that would help in this case. There is writing on both sides of the nakago, and I supplied a farther-away context shot before moving into each side, in case it matters which side is which. There is a mark in front of the mekugi-ana on one side which I provided a closeup of before moving down to show (what I assume is) the mei.

Overall length: 35"
Blade length: 26.75"
Blade thickness: 0.271" at mune-machi, tapering to 0.212" at yokote

Thanks in advance--I can't access Bladeforums while at work but I'll check back in upon getting home in the evenings. :)
Warren

 
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Heh---nobody, eh? For what it's worth coming from a layman, compared to the other katana that I've tried to find out about for people, this one is the liveliest in terms of its handling qualities; I haven't been twirling it around or anything, but it does balance very nicely and moves easily. Thing is, in this military town, there are LOTS of guys whose relatives brought home a souvenir from the Pacific theater, and they keep talking to each other and I've somehow become "a resource" despite continually telling them that I don't actually know ANYTHING and I'm just taking pictures and asking the right people. :D
 
Your sword is a WW II Civilian mounted sword. It has a Showa tang stamp showing it is not a traditionally made blade. The smith's name is Seki (town where made) Kanemasa (smith's name) saku (made this). Condition is poor due to the broken point and rust.
Rich
 
I've been a member for thirteen years, and I still love and marvel at the resource I have in Bladeforums! Thanks so very much, I will pass the information along! So the search for Musachi's long-lost katana continues. ;)

Are there any really good books/references available out there that anyone here would recommend? I'm fascinated by the subject, but am such a novice that I can't judge good/poor information very reliably with all the stuff that's out there.
 
Ha, Been so long since someone posted a sword, I haven't looked in a couple of days. Didn't need me though, Rich was on post. He is of course spot on, Seki Ju Kanemasa Saku, dated Showa Ju Go Nen Roku Gatsu, Showa (began 1928), Ju (10) Go(5) Nen (year) Roku (6) Gatsu (Month). 1942-43.
 
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