The tang is signed Kanekiyo and has a stamp
combining mon and Kiyo Kakihan. Nagamura Kanekiyo's mei is on page 233
of Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945 by Fuller and Gregory. He is listed as as a swordsmith of the 4th seat as on page 221 in John Slough's Modern
Japanese Swordsmith 1868-1945. In short, it is a very good piece of work.
It also has a showa stamp. However, the hada and
active hamon of this particular blade would indicate a traditionally
made blade, despite the showa stamp. An active hamon is normally the
mark of a better quality blade, and is not usually seen in bar stock,
oil quenched WW II era gunto blades. This suggests that the blade
deviates from the traditional only in the materials used in
construction, i.e. it wasn't made entirely from tamahagane. It is, quite frankly, a beautiful blade.
The blade is in perfect condition, no nicks or
bends, bows, or flaws. It is in original polish, with a few scratches,
with a clear hamon line.
When received, it was in the state in the
photograph; I get a lot of swords in this sort of condition. The tsuka has shrunk, been reglued and split again. The saya has
damaged, and the menuki and tsuba are missing. The habaki is original
to the sword, as are the matching fuchi-kashira, koiguchi and kojiri.
Right now it's off to the 'sword hospital' to get a full set of mounts
made.
 |
 |
| The cutting edge is at the bottom of the picture. Note the hamon. |
 |
 |
 |
