ww2 japanese sword

[hotgoss84]

I have a japanese sword from ww2, and have just started reading up the history behind them. I discovered the engravings, can anyone tell me any info they can get off these markings?

 

[Lee Bray]

I think it reads Soshu Tadatsugu. Tadatsugu being the smiths name and Soshu being the province he worked in.
The small stamp is a Seki stamp and generally means that the blade is manufactured via non traditional methods. Swords with this arsenal stamp are called Showato, 'Showa' being the period(1926-89) and 'To' meaning 'sword'. Basically means a lower quality sword for military use.
Not of great interest to collectors of traditional Japanese swords but of interest to militaria collectors.

 

[JewelryMaker]

Lee hit the nail right on the head. The seki stamp denotes a mass produced blade. During WW2 these blades had more symbolic significance than they were actually used for combat. They helped establish a psychological connection between the soldiers and their samurai ancestors whose single purpose revolved around warfare.

That being said, it does still have some value to the right person, just not as much as a traditionally made nihonto or shinken. Certainly WAY better than any wall hanger out there in terms of history and even construction.

 

[hotgoss84]

Thanks,
yeah its just something my father has kept from his father who was in ww2. Its really fascinating the history behind some of these weapons and the craftmanship of the real deals.
Thanks for your help.