Gentlemen,

Can you help me out on the translation of this tang information and signature? It is a rather nice Showa blade.

Right side of the tang.

Thanks for looking!

1st pic:
Showa 19th year(1944) as "Showa ju-kyu nen".

2nd pic:
Kanemitsu(Kane-Mitsu).

Thank you very much for your help KM. I could not make out the date or the smith.

Does anyone know anything about Kanemitsu? He forged a very nice blade in 1944 with an active Hamon.

Is there not a stamp on this blade? Oil tempered railroad steel.

Hamrat,

No "arsenal" or "inspection" stamp or numbers on this blade. There is a black painted "X" on the tang but nothing other than this kanji that is shown. Standard fittings with late aluminum Seppa. Just a nice honest vet bring-back.

His real name was Sawada(family name) Saburo(1st name), swordsmith in Seki.

KM,

Thanks once again for the follow-up information on the smithy.

George