Japanese blacksmith and blade.

[lokomilo]

Hello,

You can identify the blacksmith of that blade.

Is this a traditional or industrial blade?

The stamp correspond to what?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[Bob Coleman]

The signature is Kanenori and the blade is dated 1943. The picture quality is not the best but this appears to be a factory produced blade.

[GHP]

The signature is Kanenori and the blade is dated 1943. The picture quality is not the best but this appears to be a factory produced blade.

Just confirming what Bob tells us. Here's the kanji:

兼則
Kanenori

昭和十八年十月
Shōwa jū hachi-nen jū-gatsu
Shōwa 18th year (1943), October


[名]
Na
punch-mark for 名古屋 (Nagoya)


--Guy

[lokomilo]

Thanks a lot for your help.

Got an idea of the stamp?

Traditional or industrial blade?

[nickn]

As bob has said factory not traditionally made

[GHP]

Thanks a lot for your help.

Got an idea of the stamp?

Traditional or industrial blade?

[名]
Na
punch-mark (stamp) for 名古屋 (Nagoya)


NOT a traditional blade.


According to Dr. Kim's site:

兼則 (Kanenori)
小島 太郎 (Kojima Tarō) his real name. This smith was a Seki Kaji Tosho; Dr Kim states, "...most of these seki smiths produced low grade Showato and should not be regarded as a Gendaito...."

However ... he also lists Kojima Kanenori as an upper-mid-level smith:
中上作 (CHUJO SAKU) = 上工の上位 (Joko no Joi)

Who .... was awarded a 1st Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihonto Denrankai (新作日本刀展覽會, 1941) ... reported at Nihon Kendo Oyobi Token (日本劍道及刀劍)
1: 國工 National Level

I do not understand how the seatings were figured ... as I counted, there were 33 smiths who were awarded a 1st Seat; many in the upper and mid-level categories.

Anyway, I guess this means that even if your sword is NOT made using traditional methods, the smith was capable of producing good blades.

Of course, everything I just opined about is subject to Bob and Stu's corrections! (^_^)

Cheers,
--Guy

[lokomilo]

Thank you all for your help.