Japanese sword: thoughts?

[Adrian Stevenson]

I have been sent some images of this sword.

Could I have your thoughts please? Name?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers, Ade,

[ghp95134]

⭑ 肥前国光廣
Hizen [no] Kuni Mitsuhiro
Mitsuhiro of Hizen Country

昭和十八年四月日
Shōwa Juuhachi Nen Shigatsu Jitsu
A Day in April, 1943

A "Star Stamp" is good!

His civilian name was:
山口 光廣 (Yamaguchi Mitsuhirio) 1

He is classified as Mid-Upper Level smith and the 1 note above indicates he won a First Seat at the 1941 New Sword exhibition:

"...winners of the 6th Shinsaku Nihonto Denrankai (新作日本刀展覽會, 1941) were reported ...by Hagio Takahashi. From Special Honor Seats to the 5th seat (S: 特別名譽席 (鍛刀總匠), 1: 國工 ...."
Source

So, his work was classified at National Level; BUT, that is NOT to say all his work was thus. Our panel of experts will want to see the entire blade before they say much; then, you'll get the caveat that the sword must be held in hand before a definite pronouncement can be made.

Here's more data from Markus Sesko's Index of Japanese Swordsmiths, p. 383 (German language; couldn't get the English version to open on the correct page):
"Saga [Prefecture]; His civilian name was Yamaguchi Fukutarō (山口福太郎), born 1898, he studied under Kurihara Akihide (栗原明秀) and worked as a Rikugun Jumei Tōshō...."

Cheers,
--Guy

[BOB COLEMAN]

The signature on this Showa era blade is a classic example of that of a true swordsmith compared against the chippy style found on Seki arsenal blades.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Brilliant! Thank you Guy.

Cheers, Ade.