I'm after any further information you may have on this swordsmith please...
Signed: "Hizen kuni Masatsugu" and dated (I believe?) to a lucky day, August 1943. (2603 year from the foundation of the Empire.)
It is made by Taguchi Kiichi, born July 1904. Last known residence Karatsu-shi, Hachiman-cho. He made medium to high grade gendaito. He was taught by his father Taguchi Ichitaro and also studied under Kurihara Akihide and won many awards including Gold Medal at the 5th Nihonto Denrankai. In the 1941 Exhibition, he was placed in the 2nd Seat and in the Cutting Test Category, rated Saijo (Best). He worked as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho from 1941 to 1945. He is listed in Gendai Toko Meikan p.145 and in Slough's book p.106/7. He was rated as 1 million yen smith in Toko Taikan.
References:
Marcus Sesko p.83
John Slough p.106/7
Hawley's MAS1165, 1135
Nihonto Meikan NMK865
Toko Taikan TK563.
Interesting hamon with lots of tiny crab-claws contained within it - less Hizen and more Bizen than you'd typically expect. Perhaps an influence of Akihide?
Signed: "Hizen kuni Masatsugu" and dated (I believe?) to a lucky day, August 1943. (2603 year from the foundation of the Empire.)
It is made by Taguchi Kiichi, born July 1904. Last known residence Karatsu-shi, Hachiman-cho. He made medium to high grade gendaito. He was taught by his father Taguchi Ichitaro and also studied under Kurihara Akihide and won many awards including Gold Medal at the 5th Nihonto Denrankai. In the 1941 Exhibition, he was placed in the 2nd Seat and in the Cutting Test Category, rated Saijo (Best). He worked as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho from 1941 to 1945. He is listed in Gendai Toko Meikan p.145 and in Slough's book p.106/7. He was rated as 1 million yen smith in Toko Taikan.
References:
Marcus Sesko p.83
John Slough p.106/7
Hawley's MAS1165, 1135
Nihonto Meikan NMK865
Toko Taikan TK563.
Interesting hamon with lots of tiny crab-claws contained within it - less Hizen and more Bizen than you'd typically expect. Perhaps an influence of Akihide?
Comment