Question Help with engraved old katana

Tranch

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2 Jul 2021

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• 2 Jul 2021

• #1

Hi, I have recently been gifted with an old katana. From the stories I got from the owner who gave it to me seems is from WWII, I've got the tsuka out and I found out that has an engraving and I would like to know what states on it.
Sorry for the quality of the picture the katana needs some restoration.



Thanks in advance!

 

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

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• 2 Jul 2021

• #2

H Tranch, welcome to the forum!

I have taken to liberty of attaching your image to your post.

 

Tranch

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• 2 Jul 2021

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• #3

Thank you

 

Toritoribe

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• 2 Jul 2021

• #4

？？正真子福本兼宗
(The first two characters are illegible.)

The swordsmith is Fukumoto Kanemune, a smith in Seki who made swords for the Army during WWII.

 

Tranch

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• #5

Thank you so much! I'll try to restore it and send a better picture!

 

Majestic

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• 2 Jul 2021

• #6

My guess is that the first two are 濃州 (Nōshū).

Well, 州 is certain, which means the first is almost 濃 by default.

 

Toritoribe

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• 3 Jul 2021

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Ah, yes, the second kanji must be 州 in cursive script, so the first one indeed would be 濃.

 

Tranch

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What Nōshō would mean in this context? Woul ot be referring to Mino Province - Wikipedia

Thanks in advance

 

Majestic

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• 3 Jul 2021

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Yes, that's right.