another tang translation

[SLIM]

first 2 kanji unsure off so need help on them " sho wa ??? "but does the last 2 kanji stand for Kanetaka ??

thanks again

[guntojim]

Matsuda Kanetaka, Seki smith.

[greyman]

Hi Slim

I have had a number of Matsuda Kanetaka signed blades over the years as with Nagamura Kiyonobu the blades in general are fairly ordinary but exceptions to this rule are nice gendai. Some say that a poor smith or a smith not rated for reasons on quantity/quality etc never produce good blades,may I suggest that if an officer asked for a special sword and paid the price, good work would come.

I back this up with one of six owned,five very un special while the sixth had all you would expect from good gendaito.

The blade you have may be worth a polish but too expensive to find that it is not so good, try asking a polisher to open a window which will allow you to make an informed decision. Also do not be put off by the seki stamp, I have worked on a few that were good.

Roy

[SLIM]

thanks guntojim and very sound advice Roy