Mei Translation Please

[C. Betz]

I have had this naval gunto katana for about five years now and I was wondering if anyone could translate the maker signature. Any help at all with identifying this sword would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all in advance.

Sincerely,

Charles Betz

These are the first three characters on the nakago.

[C. Betz]

Mei

These are the remaining characters on the nakago.

[C. Betz]

The stamp.

Stamp.

[Budo45]

mei

Takayama To (sword), Kanenao kore saku could be Kinnao.
Takayama is a forge, if you google Takayama youll out about thier sword making.

heres one i found

k morita (Offline)
Forum Family Posts: 107
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Japan

03-15-2006, 07:11 AM

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Perhaps, this sword was manufactured between 1935-1945.
I have not understood what "Takayama-Sword" means for a long time.
What does Takayama mean? , I was guessing that it was a name of a place or a name of the mountain or a family name.
But, I understood that "Takayama" is a family name recently.

Mr. Takayama who was the master of martial-arts(Takayama-Ryu,Takayama school) of naval forces, and he designed of those swords(perhaps, material, length of sword, and length of handle etc,).
Therefore, these swords seem to have been named "Takayama Sword".
http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/ph_toyama.html

[Budo45]

Pm

Too all that have sent PM to me, sorry i just seen the PM folder, if youd like to contact me please use my email. h2obro1@aol.com or on the Nihonto Message Board. ill try to check in here more often. once more sorry was not ment to be rude in not getting back

[C. Betz]

Thank you.

Hello Budo45,
Thank you for the information and source. It will get me started in hopes of more history with this blade.

Again, thank you for your time and efforts in this matter.

Sincerely,

Charles Betz