Japanese katana question

[Luis22]

I must agree somewhat with the seller. With an old blade, I was taught to form an opinion on the blade as to era, shape, school and maker before ever looking at the mei. If something did not match up with the signature, even without a reference, I would immediately question the legitimacy of the signature.
When it comes to machine made factory swords, for me, the signature is meaningless as in most cases, it is that of an unknown individual. I have a model 1944 sword with machine made blade that I picked up a few years ago at an estate auction. I have never removed the tsuka as the mekugi is under the ito and whatever was written on the nakago would not have any significance to me.

What you are saying sounds correct ,,there are a lot of old fine blades out there without MEI...but wouldnt a good swordsmith be proud to carve his name on his product?? What about swordsmiths like Nagamitsu for example? his swords are considered true gendaito ...

[checkit]

Don't get too hung up on signed/unsigned as an indicator of pride in workmanship or quality. Or even genuine/phony signatures. The Japanese thought process just doesn't work that way.

[Military Trader]

Hey guys (concerning the first post here) is this one a "Koa Isshin Mantetsu" or just marked "Mantetsu?" from what I've read just the "Mantetsu" marked ones are probably later than the others with the patriotic slogan.

Thanks

Dennis

[GHP]

Going to flip this one before working on the translation.

Regards,
Stu

安本兼澄

Yasumoto Kanezumi [???]

EDIT: Okay, this is for the second sword (I wasn't aware there were two swords in one thread -- a good reason not to do it!). This is the maker's name on the sword with the brown leather combat cover.

--Guy

[GHP]

Hey guys (concerning the first post here) is this one a "Koa Isshin Mantetsu" or just marked "Mantetsu?" from what I've read just the "Mantetsu" marked ones are probably later than the others with the patriotic slogan.

Thanks

Dennis

興亜一心 満鐵作之
Ko-A Isshi Mantetsu Tsukuru Kore
Asia Revived Made of Manchurian Steel

昭和辛巳 春
Shōwa Kanoto Me Haru
Showa 16 [1941], Spring

--Guy

[Military Trader]

Thanks Guy

[GHP]

Thanks Guy

Glad to help. I notice that I shortened the translation of 興亜一心 "Ko-A Isshin" to just the first two kanji. It should be "Asian Development - One Spirit" [or "The Unity of Asian Development"]


Just for fun:
亜 - A. Asia
心 Shin/kokoro. Heart, mind, spirit; or a combination of all three.
悪 - akuma. Evil, wickedness.

Notice that Evil is composed of 亜 + 心
Asian Heart/Mind = Evil

--Guy

[Military Trader]

I got two answers for the one request Can't beat that.

Thanks again for your expertise and timely answers.