JAPANESE SWORDSMITHS

IN GIFU 1937
(a list of 34 plus their biography)

昭和十ニ年の刀匠

Malcolm Cox
2021
update
INTRODUCTION
A report was produced in December, 1937 by the Japanese Police Department to determine the status of swords
within all prefectures of Japan. It included who and where were the active swordsmiths, what were their production
capabilities and who sold swords, plus any recorded criminal activity associated with swords. The report is handwrit-
ten, and compiled information collected by local area police officers as well as on-file. It is reasonable to consider
this would have taken some months to prepare, and several steps were involved to produce the final document.
The title of the report is:
日本刀取締ニ関スル参考資料
昭和十二年十二月
Japanese Sword Control Reference Material
December 1937

Page 1 has the following summary for 1937 :

刀劍製造業者数調 “number of sword makers”
全國中 (zenkoku-chū) “for the whole country”
三十五道府縣 (sanjūgo dōfuken) “in 35 prefectures”
一六〇 人 (160 nin) “160 people (swordsmiths)”

BACKGROUND TO THIS NATIONAL SURVEY.

Following Japan’s military intervention in China from 1935 there was a rapid demand for swords for officers. The
Japanese police as part of the Ministry of Interior (Home Ministry) were concerned about how newly made swords
were being marketed and sold. In particular there was concern that inferior products were being reported as having
the quality of traditionally made blades, also of “fake” swords or swords with false (“gimei”) signatures. The Ministry
issued a memo in October, 1937 for the Police to investigate. This was followed by a formal letter from the Chief of
Police and the Secretary of the Bureau of Ministry of Interior to the Police Chiefs of the Prefectures. This letter had
been approved by the Ministries of Army and Navy.
The following three points were to be addressed:
1. practices that misrepresent the worth of items by claims in advertising.
2. gimei swords or false appraisals.
3. sale of swords at unjustifiable prices. [summary after Nick Komiya, war-relics].
This current article focuses on Gifu Prefecture, which had an established history of sword making and the City of
Seki became a major centre of new sword manufacture, notably of non-traditional “Showa-to”. The 1937 list there-
fore is considered to represent the main traditionally trained tosho active at that time.
An overview of the swordmaking “scene” of Seki in that is summarised in Kapp et al., 2002 (pages 59-63).

Tables of Data Recorded About Swordsmiths in the Report

Column 1. 住所 (jūsho) “street address”

Column 2. 氏名 (shimei) “full name”
Column 3. 刻銘 (kokumei) “signature on blade”
Column 4. 規模 (kibo) “scale/size”
4a. 徒弟,数 (totei,kazu) “number of apprentices”
4b. 資本 (shihon) “capital in yen”
4c. 製造能力 (seizō nōryoku) “manufacturing capacity”
Column 5. 沿革,概要 (enkaku,gaiyō) “history, overview”

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 Front Cover
秘 (hi) “secret”
昭和十二年十二月
(Shōwa juni nen juni gatsu)
Showa 12 December (1937)
日本刀取締ニ関スル参考資料
(Nihontō torishimari ni kansuru sankō shiryō)
“control of Japanese swords reference data”
内務省警保局
(Naimushō keihokyoku)
Home Ministry, Police Affairs Bureau.

Table of Contents
目次

一、刀劍製造業者数調 “Number of sword makers”

二、刀劍販賣業者数調 “Number of sword dealers”
三、關係犯罪檢X調 “Related crime arrests”
四、廳府縣別刀劍製造業者調 庁府県別刀剣製造業者調
“sword makers by prefecture”
五、廳府縣別刀劍販賣業者数調
庁府県別刀剣販売業者数調
“number of sword distributors by prefecture”
六、廳府縣別關係犯罪檢X調 = 庁府県別関係犯罪検挙調
“criminal affairs related to the prefecture”
七、日本刀關係犯罪事件調 = 日本刀関係犯罪事件調
“Japanese sword related crime cases”
八、刀劍七者其ノ他ノ武器取締ニ關スル廳府縣令調
(Tōken hishu sonota, buki torishimari ni kansuru bakufu kenrei chō)
“research into/background of prefecture regulations in regard to tanto
swords with no tsuba (daggers?)”
(mostly called “aikuchi” and yakuza call them “dosu” i.e. blades that can
be concealed)

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 FOR ALL OF JAPAN

Page 2 二、刀劍販賣業者数調
Number of dealers of token (includes antique )

A. TOKEN. Buy, sell & exchange, number of dealers.

Type of antique dealer & includes old & recycled, and those
who need a licence (“licenced dealers”). Total 1,021

B. TOKEN. Number of employees of different categories.

Total 12,235
1. Togishi & togishi kengyo (polishers and associated) 652
2. Hamono-sho (all types of sharp edge tools) 391
3. Kobutsu-sho (antique & secondhand dealers) 10,769
4. Gunjyuhin (military related items) 99
5. Other dealers 324

C. TOKEN. Hanbai (sellers) Total 13,256

Note: calculations would probably have been done

using an abacus

Page 3 三、關係犯罪檢挙調
Crime and arrests related to
token and other weapons.

A. TOKEN. Hishu (small knives) and other weapons including

teppo (firearms) Regulation 12 (ownership) and Regulation
48 (enforcement)
Year No. of people (L) [Link] cases (R)
Showa 7 (1932) 1475 1392
Showa 8 (1933) 1426 1356
Showa 9 (1934) 1650 1663
Showa 10 (1935) 1728 1693
Showa 11 (1936) 1657 1635
Total (“kei”) 7936 7739

B. TOKEN. Fake & gimei swords, & fake kanteisho, also “sagi”
(people tricked)
Year No. of people (L) [Link] cases (R)
Showa 7 (1932) 15 8
Showa 8 (1933) 4 4
Showa 9 (1934) 8 7
Showa 10 (1935) 34 18
Showa 11 (1936) 22 20
Total (“kei”) 83 57

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BACKGROUND TO WARTIME SEKI SWORDSMITHS
One of the key swordsmiths in preserving the Mino tradition was Fujiwara Kaneyoshi (Kosaka Kinbei) (小坂 金兵
衛 兼吉)(1837-1914). Kaneyoshi also earlier used the names Shinseishi Fujiwara (真勢子 藤原). He was of the
Zenjo school and as with other swordsmiths under the Haitorei of 1876 ceased sword production, and moved to
edged-tool making. He later began raising funds from local governments and cultural organisations, as well as his
own assets, to establish the Seki Token Tanren Jo in 1907. Initially with him there were four of his students
Watanabe Manjiro Kanenaga (渡辺 萬次郎 兼永) (#16), Niwa Kanenobu (丹羽兼信) (#17), Yamada
Kanemitsu (Jiro) and Ogawa Kanekuni (#14). [after Kapp et al. (2002) and Tsuchiko (2002)].

Kanenaga had become a deshi of Kanetsugu (兼繼) [old kanji for “tsugu”] at age 16 (around 1853), and later his
adopted son, and was soon showing swordmaking skills. In Meiji 30 (1897) he entered the mon of Shinseishi
Kaneyoshi, eventually becoming the sensei on the death of Kaneyoshi (in 1914). At that time he then trained in tea
ceremony and flower arrangement, gaining the status of master. Watanabe Kanenaga was born in Seki on 1 Janu-
ary, 1872 (Meiji 5) to the Sasaki family in Yoneda-mura, Kamo-gun.
In 1933, with Japan’s increasing military activities the Mino Tosho Yogo Kai “Mino Sword Preservation Society” (美
濃刀匠擁護会) was founded in Seki by four sword enthusiasts, Mori Yukata, Ikoma Taromaru, Goto Juhei and
Kanemura Toranosuke. With their support, in 1933 Kosaka Kaneyoshi’s students formed the Nihonto Tanren Shido
Sho “Japanese Sword Forging Institute”; after this in 1934 they formed the Nipponto Tanren Denshujo (later called
Tanren Juku) in the grounds of the Kasuga Shrine. The master instructor was Watanabe Kanenaga and there were
15 students. In Showa 12 (1937) Kanenaga upgraded the Denshujo to the Nihonto Tanren Juku (日本刀鍜錬塾)
a formal training facility and subsequently took on more students. Kojima Kanemichi was also important and looks
to have attended from around the mid-1930’s and trained many new tosho (Cox & Freeland, 2021).
After 1937 sword production in Japan began to increase dramatically and was becoming increasingly organised. An
indication of this in Gifu Prefecture was the formation of an association led by Yoshioka Shoichi, and a voluntary
registration of swordsmiths with a deadline of 28 October, 1939 (only 61 registered). Many well known tosho had not
registered at that time. This was expanded and looked to then be mandatory, and extended to September, 1944,
with 232 officially registered; it was called Seki Kaji Tosho Meibo. Records indicate there was a total of around 350
Gifu swordsmiths by the end of the war, but not all were registered.
Numbers of Seki swordsmiths officially registered were: 1938: 1, 1939: 59, 1940: 23, 1941: 52, 1942: 33, 1943: 50,
1944: 14. Reports show that sword manufacture dropped significantly in 1945 due to increased bombing, with dam-
age and closure of arsenals and workshops, and notably reduction in supplies of needed raw materials.
From the mid-1930’s several departments of the military were testing different sword designs, materials and pro-
cesses to rapidly produce suitable swords for combat. From around 1935, and notably from 1938 there were a
number of companies established and producing various swords and fittings, including Showa-to, to meet the
demand. A 1940 Seki City report (“Tou To Seki”) lists different types of companies, such as Token Sho (small busi-
ness), Shokai (registered company) and Token Kaisha (Co. Ltd public).
Post-war from 1946 swords had become an issue and the occupation administration began to accept that sword
ownership needed to be addressed, as well as concern that some valuable swords were being destroyed. Availa-
ble documents (Nick Komiya, war-relics) such as US Army letters 1946/49 provide a list of official sword appraisers
per prefecture to advise on quality. Commonly there were 3-5 in each prefecture, with 17 in Tokyo. However, of
note, for some reason there were only 2 appraisers in Gifu, Kenji Ozeki and Keijiro Haneda. Of interest, in the Dai
Nihon Token business directory of 1942 there is a listing for the Kenji Ozeki Sword Shop in Seki; not sure of any
relationship but the current 6th Mayor of Seki is a Kenji Ozeki, born 1972 and elected 2011.
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 Locations of Swordsmiths
It is difficult to find addresses of tosho as location names changed over time, for example in Showa 29 (1954) many
town names changed by grouping of villages. An older term used was “gun” roughly equivalent to “county”. In this
list most smiths are in Bugi-gun, a small number are in Kamo-gun and one in Inaba-gun.
Broadly, from the Meiji period “Bugi-gun” covered most of Seki City and Mino City.
The reported lists are also often confusing with duplication of use of “machi” and “cho”.
Also the location prefix “kou” and “otsu” are no longer used, but do assist in understanding proximity of residences.
However, different groups of swordsmiths did tend to live together or near each other in communities,
and some grouping is evident, although smiths did move over time.
Kou addresses tend to be closer to central Seki City; Kamo-gun are some kilometres to the east.

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 GIFU PREFECTURE SWORDSMITHS 1937
4 3 2 1

Kojima Kanemichi Kojima Kanemichi Kato Kanefusa (23rd) Kato Kanefusa (23rd )
ca. 1952 (age 53) ca.1939 (age 40) ca.1941 (age 41) ca. 1976 (age 76)
(1899-1983) (1899-1983) (1899-1977) (1899-1977)

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1. 照廣 Teruhiro (川添 甚一 Kawazoe Kanichi) not in Seki tosho registration list
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 2230. Deshi in 1937: 0
History: in May of Taisho 10 (1921) began training at Kochino-cho, Aichi-ken (now within city of Konan, Aichi).
Aichi is also called Bishu 尾州. He may have started in agricultural tools then moved to study of swords.
Moved to Seki in 1933 and studied “Mino-swordmaking” at “Kanenaga Token Seizo” .
From Showa 8 (1933) August he lived at above address.
It is assumed in Seki he joined Watanabe Kanenaga and his new Mino Tosho “school”, but also likely he may have
worked with Fujiwara Kanenaga. It may be of significance that he is not is the Seki tosho registration list.
Note: little other information was found, but Konan is only ~ 20 km from Seki.
One oshigata was found:
尾州住川添輝広 Bishu ju Kawazoe Teruhiro (this Bishu is Aichi).

2. 兼房 Kanefusa ( 藤原 Fujiwara) (加藤 鉀一 Kato Koichi)

Born: Meiji 23 (1890) Feb 9 (Note: correct date Meiji 32 (1899), Feb 9);
Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
He was 23rd gen and used name of Fujiwara Kanefusa. Deshi in 1937: 2.
1937: Seki-machi, Kou 747; 1939: Seki-machi, Sakae-cho.
History: from Meiji 44 (1911) studied under his father. From Showa 7 (1932)
working and independent. Early on he apparently also signed Akifusa 明房.
Summary: taught by Kato Zennosuke Jumyo (#13) (1893-1953?) who was a
student of Watanabe Kanenaga; Kanefusa also studied under Kanenaga.
Kanefusa won Nyusen awards in wartime and post-war competitions. He also
made swords for Japanese Imperial family. Fujiwara Kanefusa 23rd gen
1934:Showa 9, first Imperial Exhibition of arts included swords, his submission ca. 1952 (age 52)
received lower Nyusen (Ge-saku). (1899-1977 )
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition, 1st seat of 5 (as Fujiwara Kanefusa)
1942 Tosho Banzuke: 3rd seat of 7 (Jo Saku).
He trained 4 deshi: his son Takao, Shoda Masafusa, Kawase Mitsukane & Kato Kaneuji.
He produced gunto and gendaito for army, navy and civilian orders.
Post-war registration on Showa 29 (1954) Dec 4. He played a major role in
re-establishing sword making in Seki and in 1952 formally opened a new tanrenjo
on the Fujiwara property. Died July 1, 1977 (age 78).
Won both Tokusen and Yushu-sho in shinsakuto exhibitions. Made a sword as
offering to Heisei Emperor Akihito, also for several sumo grand champions.
Hawley: KAN 747, 799. JSS: p.39. GTM p.37
Example mei: Fujiwara Kanefusa 23rd gen
ca. 1970 (age 60)
Fujiwara Kanefusa saku 藤原兼房作 (1899-1977)
Noshu Seki ju Fujiwara Kanefusa 濃州関住藤原兼房
Noshu Seki ju 23 dai Fujiwara Kanefusa saku kore 濃洲関住二十三代藤原兼房作之
Kanefusa Kato Takao (兼房 加藤 孝雄)
Son of Kato Koichi Kanefusa, he became 24th gen Kanefusa (in late 1970’s?)
Born: Taisho 11 (1922) Sept 8. He began working in the forge at age 13 (1935)
under his father until age 21 (1943) when he was drafted into the army.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition, 4th level of 5 (as Kato Takao).
In early war shinsakuto exhibitions he received 3 Nyusen-sho and in post-war shinsakuto
meito ten 6 Nyusen-sho.
He resumed sword making post-war, registered Showa 30 (1955) Nov 12.
1952: at opening of new Fujiwara tanrenjo in Seki.
Received several Nyusen-sho in shinsakuto exhibitions. Fujiwara Kanefusa 24th gen
Hawley: KAN 801, TAK 154. GTM p.40. JSS p.168. ca. 1970 (age 48)
(1922- )
Example mei: Fujiwara Takao saku 藤原孝雄作
Fujiwara Kanefusa saku 藤原兼房作

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3. 兼時 Kanetoki / 兼道 Kanemichi (小島 時二郎 Kojima Tokijiro)
Born: Meiji 32 (1899) July, 1; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 20. (Seki registration has born Meiji 35 (1902) July 1)
1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 1757; 1939: Seki-machi, Nagasumi-cho. Deshi in 1937: 7.
History: In 1918 (Taisho 7) he was a live-in deshi of Kojima Shichi Uemon (Katsumasa) in Seki-machi (probably his
uncle) at age 16 and it is likely he was then called Kanetoki.
Summary: 1928 Kanemichi became independent (Taisho 12) and in the early-1930’s established his own forge, and
took on apprentices. Initially trained under Kojima Katsumasa (小島 勝正),
then Watanabe Manjiro Kanenaga (渡辺 萬次郎 兼永)and also under
Kaneyoshi, likely for a short period.
In the pre-war period, Kanemichi signed using Kanetoki (兼時) and was given the
nanori “Kanemichi” by Nakayama Hakudo (中山 兼道) (1872-1958)
the famous master swordsman. He later worked with him in testing of his blades.
Kanemichi, and earlier as Kanetoki, had at least 18 students.
Shinsakuto exhibition awards each year from 1936 to 1941.
1941 ranked as Special Honour Seat in 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai.
1942: Tosho Banzuke rated Jo Saku (Kibin no Retsu) 3rd of 7 levels.
In 1942 Kanemichi was the head tosho for a medium size private company Kojima Kanemichi
Seki Kyoshinsha (関共進社) which employed 10 swordsmiths, including his ca. 1970 (age 71)
brother Kojima Kanenori, located in Kaji-cho, Seki-shi. (1899-1983)
1943: two Nihon Token societies (NTT & NTS) placed him in Maegashira rank.
Around 1942 became a Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
In 1944 the Army took over the shinsakuto exhibition in Tokyo in December;
in the RJT section he was one of 98 ranked as Nyusen-sho.
Post-war Kanemichi was registered as a tosho in November, 1954 (Showa 29).
1952: at opening of new Fujiwara tanrenjo in Seki.
In shinsakuto competitions to around 1970 he was awarded Nyusen-sho five times.
He died on February 15th 1983 at age 84.
Hawley: KAN 1392, 1401. KAN 2534. GTM p.137. JSS p.46-48. Cox & Freeland, 2021.
Example mei: Kanemichi saku 兼道作
Noshu Seki ju Kanetoki saku 濃州関住兼時作 Kojima Kanemichi
Noshu Seki ju Kojima Kanemichi kitau kore 濃州関住小島兼道鍛之 ca. 1975 (age 76)
(1899-1983)
兼時 Kanetoki (2nd) (小島 寛二 Kojima Kanji)
2nd gen Kanetoki (son of Kojima Kanemichi) born 2 September 1925 (Taisho 14). Registered as Seki tosho
13 July, 1942 (age 16) in Showa 17 (S17.07.13).
1942: living at Tomimoto-cho, Seki-machi. He had also
trained under Watanabe Kanenaga when younger in Nipponto Tanren Juku and with father Kanemichi.
When his father changed name from Kanetoki to Kanemichi, Kanji succeeded as 2nd gen Kanetoki.
Worked in Seki as a Kaigun Jumei Tōshō (Navy swordsmith).
Post-war registration on 9 February, 1957 (Showa 32). Awarded two Yushu-sho, Doryoku-sho, Shorei-sho and 21
Nyusen-sho. Still active in the late-1990’s.
Hawley: KAN 2535 Example mei: Seki ju Fujiwara Kanetoki 関住藤原兼時
Seki ju Kanetoki saku kore 関住兼時作之
Noshu Seki ju Kanetoki saku kore 濃州関住兼時作之

Kanetoki (2nd) (1925- )

Left to right:
ca. 1952 (age 27)
ca. 1970 (age 45)
ca. 1976 (age 51)

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 Nakayama Hakudo
(1869-1959)

Left: Kojima Kanemichi and Nakayama Hakudo discuss a sword during cutting tests.
Right: Hakudo sensei conducting cutting tests. The wall scroll looks to be
“…...” Tanrenjo” (…...鍜 錬 場)

In the late 1930’s Kojima Kanemichi worked closely with Watanabe Kanenaga, not only in teaching but also in
promoting quality of Japanese swords and interest in them. This included assessing sword quality by cutting
tests. Many of the shinsakuto exhibitions had a section for sword cutting ability by tameshigiri. Nakayama
Hakudo participated in these giving ratings (e.g. jochu (good); jojo (very good); saijo (best)).
By 1942 Kanemichi was appointed head tosho for a private company Seki Kyoshinsha, however, he does not
appear to have worked in a “production line” approach.
He was appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho (late 1942?) but no Star stamped blades were found.
Kanemichi looks to have made fewer swords from 1943, possibly being involved in management
plus there being fewer orders for quality or custom swords.
Post-war Kanemichi was registered in Showa 29 (1954) and won more than 5 Nyusen-sho before 1970 and he
was active into the late 1970’s. He died on February 15th 1983 at age 84, having trained many new tosho.
Kanemichi worked in Mino-den and his blades were typical of that style with taka-no-ha yasurime and he
favoured gunome-midare sanbonsugi hamon.

4. 兼丈 Kanetake (福田 丈太郎 Fukuda Jotaro) (can read “Taketaro”) [kanji is not “fumi” 文]
Born: Meiji 43 (1910) May 10; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. Deshi in 1937: 0.
1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 1754; 1939: Seki-machi, Misono-cho.
History: living in Seki-machi and trained under Matsuda Kanetaka (#26) who had early trained under Kojima
Kanemichi (then as Kanetoki) probably in the Nipponto Tanren Juko.
Summary: died in 1989 age 79. He made numerous swords for both Arrny and Navy.
Example mei:
Fukuda Kanetake saku 福田兼丈作
Seki ju Fukuda Kanetake saku 関住福田兼丈作
Noshu Seki ju Kanetake saku 濃州 関住兼丈作

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10 9 8 7 6 5

Goto Kanemitsu Okada Kaneyoshi Asano Kanezane

ca. 1940 (age 53) ca. 1940 (age 31) ca.1940 (age 30)
(1887– 1957) (1909-1972 ) (1910-1986)
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05. 兼眞 Kanezane (浅野 新市 Asano Shinichi) [he signed with this zane 眞]
[“zane” in 1937 report looks like “nao” 直] [in Seki registration his name is written as 兼真 浅野 真一]
Born: Meiji 45 (1912) March 15. [correct date is Meiji 1943 (1910) Dec 19]. Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8.
1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 1597; 1939: Seki-machi, Naka-cho. Deshi in 1937: 3.
History: Taisho 11 (1922) April, trained by Kojima Kanemichi (#3) for 6 years. Independent Showa 4 (1929) June.
Summary: said to start training at age 13 (1923?]. Independent at age 20 (1930?] given name “Kanezane”.
His first students were Kanetada (1931), Michizane (1933), Kanemasa (1934).
He won silver and gold medals in exhibitions in 1934-1940 (no exhibition in 1937).
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 2nd level of 5 (Chu Saku).
1942: Tosho Banzuke 4th level of 7 (Chu Saku). In 1942 established the East Asia
Sword Company (Toa Token Kabushiki Kai), employed ~ 80 people, mostly made gunto.
1943: ranking by NTT/NTS associations in highest level Special Rank (Betseki 4th of 5).
1952: attended a meeting of Seki tosho to open a new forge in Fujiwara Kanefusa property.
1965: attended Dai Ichi Fuigo in October (lighting first fire of year in forge) with Masafusa,
Kanefusa & Kato Takao. Post-war he ran a company producing cutlery to 1952, then with son.
Post-war registration on Showa 47 (1972) January 2 (which is late, probably for formalities).
Died: 15 Feb 1986 (Showa 61) age would have been 75.
[Note: some ages were given in old system of Kazoe where at birth age is 1 year] Asano Kanezane
Example mei: Kanezane 兼眞 ca.1952 (age 42)
(1910-1986)
Seki ju Fujiwara Kanezane saku 関住藤原兼眞作
Nōshū jū Asano Kanezane saku 濃州住浅野兼眞作
Noshu ju Asano Kanezane saku kore 濃州住浅野兼眞作之
Hawley: KAN 2190, 2191. JSS: 76-79. Fuller & Gregory, 1986.
06. 兼清 Kanekiyo (長村 清三郎 Nagamura Kiyosaburo) (Seizaburo)
Born: Meiji 27 (1894) May 7; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
1937: Seki-machi, Kou 714; 1939: Seki-machi, Kaji-cho. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: Taisho 3 (1914) at Seki-machi trained under Ogawa Kanekuni 小川 兼國 (#14), then independent.
Summary: 1941: 6th shinsakuto 4th level of 5 (Chu Jo Saku).
1942: missed the Tosho Banzuke.
Died in 1965 Nov 4 (Showa 40) age 71.
Hawley: KAN 1216, 1217.
Example mei： Kanekiyo 兼清 Nagamura Kanekiyo saku 長村兼清作
07. 兼義 Kaneyoshi (岡田 武 Okada Takeshi)
Born: Meiji 42 (1909) Oct 30; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 20. Deshi in 1937: 0.
1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 2247/3; 1939: Seki-machi, Yoshida-cho. 1942: Seki-machi, Ikuta-cho.
History: Taisho 12 (1923) trained under “Mino kaji” his uncle as a child and made agricultural tools. Making
swords (independent) from Showa 8 (1933).
Summary: He went to Oshu (Fukushima) for further training, then returned to Seki to train in tanrenjo. He trained
under Niwa Kanematsu Kanenobu (兼信) (#17). He became a promoter of traditional sword-making by koshiki
tantren, and leading the tanren-bu section in the Seki Token Kaisha company. Then he became a full employee of
Noshu Nipponto Tanrenjo (Kabushi Kaisha). Younger brother of Okeada Kanesada (岡田兼定).
1939: 4th shinsakuto exhibition his first submission won Kinpai. Then he focused on training new tosho.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 4th level of 5 (Chu Jo Saku).
1942: Tosho Banzuke 4th level of 7 (Chu Saku).
1943: 1st Rikugun Gunto Ten exhibition won Chairman’s Award (Kaicho-sho).
Listed best students: Okada Kanesada (#25; brother), Ikeda Kanetsuna, Takai Sadatsugu (#28) and Isaji Kanehiro.
Kaneyoshi registered post-war on Showa 46 (1971) Oct 12 at age 62, but died on 15 March, 1972 five months later.
Address at that time: Seki-shi, Deki-machi 1717.
Hawley: KAN 3111-3113. JSS: p.74. GTKSS: p.94.
Example mei: Seki ju Okada Kaneyoshi saku 関住岡田兼義作
Seki ju Okada Kaneyoshi saku kore 関住岡田兼義作之
Noshu Seki ju Okada Kaneyoshi saku kore 濃州 関住岡田兼義作之
12
 ASANO SHINICHI (KANEZANE)

I wrote a letter to Asano san (translated to Japanese) in November, 1990. In summary, it described a sword
I had that he made (oshigata below from Stein website) not dated and with sakura-sho stamp (pre-1942).
Mei: “Noshu ju Asano Kanezane saku kore” plus kokuin. The blade was a custom order in civilian koshirae with
brass kodogu, nagasa of 73.3 cm with sori 2.1 cm, and hamon of small gunome-midare with strong ashi.
I would consider it semi-traditionally made. The subject of the letter was about the sword and when made.
I received a delightful letter from his widow, the following month (Heisei 2, December). Below is a summary.

Greetings in reply (Hai-fuke)

Thank you for your letter. I found you are acquainted with James Silver and I am embarrassed you read the letter
sent to him [1982]. Thank you for the photo and grateful you took care of the katana and also giving information.
It is reminding me of old memories to see the oshigata of nakago mei.
I understand you changed the outer fittings. I believe it was very difficult to find good fittings of shinchu [brass] in
wartime and seeing what you have done is wonderful. I do agree a good katana for iaido.
It is sad to say my husband passed on in Showa 61 [1986] February at the age of 77 [using old kazoe system]. I
am sure he would be delighted to see if still with me. When this katana was submitted at Teiten he would have
remembered well but I do not have much knowledge about it. Oto-san [referring to husband] used to enjoy making
and also loved to admire katana.
In spite of your polite letter I feel sad I can not give more information and help you, please forgive.
Wishing you the best and happiness.
Sincerely (Keigu)
Asano Shinichi Wife (kanai) Kaoru.
1990, December 3. [Heisei 2, 12th month, 3rd day]

Note: in the book by Fuller & Gregory (1986) there is discussion about Kanezane and a letter sent to him in 1982
by James Silver (USA). Also printed in the book is the letter he received in reply from Asano san outlining his
background (which may well have been written by his wife Kaoru).

13
 SEKI FUIGO FESTIVAL OCTOBER 1965

第一鞴 DAI ICHI FUIGO (lit. “first bellows ceremony”)

玉ひじき TAMA HIJIKI (lit. “balls of shredded seaweed”)
(sign names R to L)
Fujiwara Kanefusa, Shoda Masafusa, Kato Takao, Asano Kanezane
(portraits)
(upper left) Shoda Kishichi MASAFUSA 荘田喜七正房 (born 1916)
(he was a student of Fujiwara Kanefusa)
(lower left) Asano Shinichi KANEZANE 浅野 新市 兼眞 (#5; born 1912)
(upper right) Kato Koichi Fujiwara KANEFUSA 23rd 加藤 鉀一 藤原兼房 (#2; born 1900)
(lower right) Kato Takao Fujiwara KANEFUSA 24th 加藤孝雄藤原兼房 (born 1922)

At Seki City there are a number of traditional ceremonies each year related to swords. In summary as two groups:
January 2: sword making and fire. Starts at Kasuga Shrine (below right) with a dedication to tosho and other work-
ers for safety and prosperity. Then to sword museum hall (below left) when the first fire for the year is dedicated
and the forge lit. Sword making is then demonstrated.
October-November: this period of festivals combines the Fuigo Festival with the Cutlery Festival. The former is the
more traditional celebrating the Dai Ichi Fuigo “first fuigo”; fuigo refers to the traditional box bellows (fukisashi) and
represents the celebration which is a dedication to all who used them (tosho, blacksmiths, steel producers etc) .
The gods of mines and fire are thanked and asked for safety. This seems to have started around 1915 as the
“Tosho Matsuri”. This also includes demonstrations of sword forging and associated work.
A more commercial aspect is the Seki Cutlery Festival (Seki Hamono Matsuri) second weekend in October, which
started around 1968 with street stalls, food, demonstrations and bargains at the various knife/sword/scissors shops.
A later addition appears to be the Cutlery Memorial Service where collected old and worn bladed tools/utensils are
presented at the shrine and thanked for service, then “recycled”.
[after Touken World website]

14
08. 國道 Kunimichi (小林 孫市 Kobayashi Magoichi)
Born: Meiji 34 (1901) March 14; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
1937: Seki-machi, Kou 714; 1939: Seki-machi, Kaji-cho. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: Meiji 44 (1911) trained under Yoshisada 善定. Taisho 11 (1922) became independent.
Summary: later trained under Ogawa Sentaro Kanekuni (#14) who died in 1939.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 4th level of 5 (Chu Jo Saku).
1942: Tosho Banzuke of 400 smiths is ranked at 7th level of 7 (Ge Saku).
He died September 4 (1969) Showa 44, age 68.
Hawley: KUN 476. JSS: p.90.
Example mei: Kunimichi 國道
Kobayashi Kunimichi 小林国道
Seki ju Kunimichi saku 関住國道政作

09. 兼光 Kanemitsu (後藤 松蔵 Goto Matsuzou) (also read Shozo)

Born: Meiji 20 (1887) July 20; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
1937: Seki-machi, Kou 991; 1939: Seki-machi, Kasuga-cho. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: around Meiji 40 (1907) began making swords.
Summary: brought up in family making hamono (edged tools). Trained by Watanabe Kanenaga (#16).
Had tanrenjo at home. Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
Submitted to three Teiten (1938-1940) received 3 Nyusen & 1 Recommendation.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku).
Employed by Seki Kabushiki Kaisha (Co. Ltd)
Died in Showa 32 (1957) March 18 age 69.
Hawley: KAN 1483
Example mei: Kanemitsu 兼光
Seki Goto Kanemitsu 関後藤兼光
Mino Seki ju Kanemitsu saku kore 美濃関住兼光作之

10. 兼徳 Kanetoku (吉田 徳市 Yoshida Tokuichi)

( 兼徳 looks to be an error, cannot find the tosho. Based on 吉田 & 徳市 it is probably Kanekado)
(兼門 Kanekado 吉田 徳市 Yoshida Tokuichi)
From 1937 report: address is Seki-machi, Kou 1004. Has 1 deshi in 1937.
1937 history: Meiji 40 (1907) in Seki-machi studied under Kuni-i Tomekichi (OR Tomeyoshi) [hard to read].
Independent in Taisho 8 (1919). [If he became a deshi at age 13 in 1907, would be born in 1894. So if
independent in 1919 is age 25. Reasonable in theory].
Although data for Kanekado (1939) does not fully match it is more likely:
born: Meiji 39 (1906) March 21; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26 (age 33).
Address in 1939: Seki-machi, Kasuga-cho.
Other information for Kanekado:
was a student of Kuriyama Kaneaki (栗山兼明) (#18)
1941: 6th Shinsaku Nihonto Denrankai , 5th level of 5.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 6th level of 7 (Chuge Saku).
Died Showa 44 (1969) Sept 6 age 62.
Hawley: KAN 1077 (student of Kaneaki), 1101. JSS: p. 43.
Example mei:
Kanekado 兼門
Yoshida Kanekado 吉田兼門
Seki ju Yoshida Kanekado 関住吉田兼門 (plus kokuin)

15
 16 15 14 13 12 11

Ogawa Ichiro Goto Kanehiro

Watanabe Kanenaga Kawamura Kanenaga Kanekuni Kato Jumyo
ca.1940 (age 46) ca.1952 (age 45)
ca.1938 (age 66) ca.1940 (age 53) ca.1940 (age 30) (1907– 1960)
(1872-1946) (1887-1943) (1910-1977) (1893-1956)

16
11. 兼廣 Kanehiro (後藤 廣吉 Goto Hiroyoshi) Not found in Seki registration list. (also Kanehiro (兼広)
Born: Meiji 40 (1907) Oct 1. Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. Deshi in 1937: 0
1937: Seki-machi, Otsu 1805; 1939: Seki-machi, Naka-cho.
History: Taisho 9 (1920) at Seki-machi, teacher is Kojima Shichiuemon Katsumasa (勝正) who was a student of
Watanabe Kanenaga. Independent from Showa 2 (1927). Died January 26, 1960, age 53.
Summary: 兼廣 this is old style “hiro”, documents also use newer 兼広
1941: 6th shinsakuto 4th level of 5
1942:Tosho Banzuke 6th level of 7 (Chuge Saku)
1943: also used Yasugi steel
Hawley: KAN 951. JSS: p.43.
Example mei: Kanehiro 兼廣
Noshu Seki Ju Goto Kanehiro 濃州関住後藤兼廣
Motte Yasuki Ko Goto Kanehiro saku 以安来鋼後藤兼廣作
12. 兼俊 Kanetoshi (熊澤 俊一 Kumazawa Shunichi)
[in Seki list use 沢 “zawa”] [he also earlier signed with his “go” Ikkosai 粋光斎)
Born: Meiji 32 (1899) April 20. Reg: Showa 17 (1942) Oct 21. Deshi in 1937: 0.
1937: Bugi-gun, Tominoyasu-mura. 1942: Seki-machi, Takafune-cho (or Kisen-machi)
History: Taisho 1 (1912) trained under Hirata Kanmatsu
Summary: student of Kanenobu (father) 兼信
Hawley: KAN 2637, 2638. JSS: p.70.
Example mei: Kanetoshi 兼俊
Ikkosai Kanetoshi 粋光斎兼俊
Kumazawa Kanetoshi 熊澤兼俊
Noshu Ju Kumazawa Kanetoshi Saku 濃州住熊澤兼俊作
13. (藤原)壽命 (Fujiwara) Jumyo (加藤 善之助 Kato Zennosuke) (can be pronounced Yoshinosuke)
Born: Meiji 26 (1893) July 10. Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25. Deshi in 1937: 0.
1937:Seki-machi, Showa-cho. 1939: Seki-machi, Sakashita-cho
History: originally a sayashi (made saya) then made swords.
Summary: Jumyo was from the Watanabe Kanenaga 兼永 school and made traditional swords before the war,
and both kaigunto and shingunto during the war. He was born on July 10, 1893 (Meiji 26) and died August 29, 1956
(Showa 31) then living in Shita-machi, Seki-shi-zaka. His Buddhism name was Tenshin-Jumyo-Ishi. Other sword-
smiths he trained with in the Kanenaga Juku were Kawai Kaneyoshi 兼義, Kawamura Kanenaga 兼永 and
Kojima Kanemichi 兼道.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition Jumyo was ranked in the 2nd level of five.
1942: In the Tosho Banzuke listing of 400 tosho he ranked as Chu Saku the 5th level of seven.
1943: in a smaller list of the top 123 tosho produced by two Nihon Token associations (NTT/NTS) in the Maegashira
section (ranked like sumo).
Noted students of Kato Jumyo include Shinoda Ujifusa 氏房 (born May, 1912), Kanefusa 兼房 (23 gen; born
Feb, 1890) and Kanehira 包平 (born Dec 1916). Kanefusa also has the family name Kato.
1942 Seki City report: has more than 10 deshi, and described as a “high level Noshu tosho” producing swords from
“start of war”.
In the 1942 directory “Dai Nihon Token Shako Meikan” Jumyo is listed as leading a group of Gifu tosho: Asano
Kanezane, Osawa Kanehisa, Takasaki Kaneshige, Shinoda Ujifusa, Kuriyama Kaneaki, Sako Nobumitsu, Maekawa
Kanetsugu, Morita Kaneshige, Yoshida Kanekado (Swordsmiths, Gifu). He is also listed as being in the Kanemoto
Shokai (Company Ltd) with Niwa Kanenobu father (兼信) and son (兼延), as well as Kuriyama Kaneaki (兼明).
Post-war he was registered on Showa 29 (1954) Nov 29 and was very active.
Hawley: JU 52
Example mei:
Kato Jumyo 加藤寿命
Kato Jumyo saku kore 加藤寿命作之

17
14. 兼國 Kanekuni (小川 仙太郎 Ogawa Sentaro)
1937 address: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Kou 778. Deshi in 1937: 2.
History: he has been making swords for 40 years, since he was 17.
He was born Meiji 6 (1873) Dec and died in Showa 14 (1939) July 14, age 65. He was 1st gen and studied under
Kosaka Kinheibei Kaneyoshi (小坂 金兵衛 兼吉) (1837-1914). Kanekuni entered the Kaneyoshi school around
Meiji 43 (1910); another student was Kanenaga. When Kaneyoshi died in 1914 Kanekuni succeeded him as second
head of Token Tanrenjo. Kanenaga established a swordmaking school at Kasuga Jinja in Seki in 1934 and in 1937
changed name to Seki Nippon Tanrenjo. Kanekuni was teaching his son Ichiro, but died on July 14, 1939.
Hawley: KAN 1268.
The Ogawa tosho in 1939 Seki registration is the son Ogawa Ichiro Kanekuni 小川 一郎 兼國
born Meiji 43 (1910) May 15; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. He died July 24, 1977.
1939 address: Seki-machi, Kaneya-cho. Ichiro is the 2nd gen and was age 29 on registration in 1939. He continued
in the Seki Nipponto Tanrenjo after Sentaro died, becoming the head smith. Also studied under Kosaka Kaneyoshi.
1939/1940: 4th/5th Tenrankai exhibition he received Nyusen plus a kokuko recommendation.
Hawley: KAN 1269. JSS: p.45.
Example mei: Noshu ju Ogawa Kanekuni saku 濃州住小川兼國作
15. (藤原)兼永 (Fujiwara) Kanenaga (河村 永次郎 Kawamura Eijiro) .
Born: Meiji 20 (1887) April 20 and died in Showa 18 (1943) Aug 16. He developed the stainless steel gunto notably
used in naval blades. He was also a metallurgist, metal artist and engraver and had early trained in Tokyo. As a to-
sho he had trained in Seki under Watanabe Kanenaga. [see Cox, 2021 Japanese Naval Swords, NMB Downloads]
1937 address: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Kou 799/2. Last address: Seki-shi, Kanaya-machi. Deshi in 1937: 1.
Not in Seki registration list apparently as he did not register as a tosho, but he experimented with sword metals and
made numerous stainless steel blades of steel alloy “taiseiko”. He also worked with the Naval Tenshozan at Kama-
kura. He also used name Nara Taro Kanenaga “man of Nara” and signed his metal art and miniature sculpture as
Eijiro Kawamura. The 1937 report notes he trained under Iyehiro sensei. His son, Kawamura Hiroshi, succeeded
him as 2nd gen Kanenaga; Hiroshi died in Showa 51 (1976) Dec 19.
Hawley: KAN 1660 JSS: 51. His mei are typically finely cut.
16. 兼永 Kanenaga (渡邊 萬次郞 Watanabe Manjiro) (in Seki registration as 渡辺 万次郎)
Born: Meiji 5 (1872) Jan 1; no Seki registration date included. He died in October Showa 21 (1946) at age 74.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Kou 797. 1939: Seki-machi, Harumoto-cho (Juku: school) Deshi in 1937: 1.
History: from Meiji 22 (1889) has been making swords.
Summary: Watanabe Manjiro Kanenaga (1872-1946) (渡辺 萬次郎 兼永)was a major swordsmith in Seki. He
was born 1 January, 1872 (Meiji 5) to the Sasaki family in Yoneda-mura, Kamo-gun, was a student of Kosaka Kin-
heibei Kaneyoshi (小坂 金兵衛 兼吉)(1837-1914). Kaneyoshi was one of the key Seki swordsmiths of the
modern era; also earlier used the names Shinseishi Fujiwara (真勢子 藤原) (Tenpo 8 (1837) - Taisho 3 (1914)).
Kanenaga entered the Imperial exhibition in 1902 (age 30), receiving second prize. He made commemorative
swords for the Imperial Family at least three times, entered other exhibitions and received national recognition.
He had become a deshi of Kanetsugu (兼繼) [old kanji for “tsugu”] at age 16, and later his adopted son. In Meiji 30
(1897) he entered the mon of Shinseishi Kaneyoshi, eventually becoming the sensei on the death of Kaneyoshi. At
that time he then trained in tea ceremony and flower arrangement, gaining the status of master. In Showa 9 (1934)
he established a swordmaking school, the Mino Tosho Renshusho at the Kasuga Shrine, with the support of other
students and the recently formed swordsmith preservation society, Mino Tosho Yougokai (美濃刀匠擁護会). In
the following year (1935) he set up the tanrenjo (forge) Nipponto Tanren there and in Showa 12 (1937) upgraded it to
a formal training facility the Nipponto Tanren Juku (日本刀鍜錬塾)and subsequently took on more students.
He was given the title Nihon Tosho Sosui "Leader of Japanese Swordsmiths" 日本刀匠総帥 in Showa 15 (1940).
During the war he had around 18 primary students, and was an important advisor on national sword issues.
1942 Tosho Banzuke rated Saijo Saku (Shinbin no Retsu) highest of the 7 levels.
1943 ranked by two Nihon Token societies as one of six listed in Genro, the highest of the five “Special Ranks”.
Considering his status it appears that he was not required to register as a Seki tosho, but his name is listed in late
1938 (Showa 13). Hawley: KAN 1657, 1658, 1659. JSS: p.53.
Example mei: Noshu Seki ju nin Watanabe Kanenaga saku 濃州関住人渡邊兼永作
18
 Nipponto Tanren Juku
The pre-war history of swordmaking in Seki shows that Watanabe Kanenaga was a significant person, particularly in
training of new swordsmiths. In 1935 he set up the tanrenjo (forge) Nipponto Tanren and in Showa 12 (1937) he
upgraded it to a formal training facility or school, the Nipponto Tanren Juku (日本刀鍜錬塾).
(The order of the tosho in the 1937 report is unrelated to priority or status, but is linked to location).
Of note, Nakata Kanehide was “head of students” in the Juku under Kanenaga, and worked closely with him as well
as Kojima Kanemichi and Niwa Kanenobu. The Juku was in the grounds of the Kasuga Shrine, now in Seki City
area of Minamikasuga-cho. Note that there are various Kasuga shrines in Japan, with a large one in Nara.

Left: Nipponto Tanren Juku at Kasuga around

1936. Centre is forge areas, left polishing/other
and right student accommodation.
Four teachers standing at front.
Below: Watanabe Kanenaga at front of
Nipponto Tanren Denshujo pre-1937
[photo: K. Morita; Ohmura website]

Left: Kanenaga and Kanemichi

around 1936 examining a sword
made as a gift to Germany. A
collaborative work by Kanenaga
and his top students Kanemichi,
Kanehide and Kanenori.
[photo: S. Guido]

Kanenaga at the Minase Shinto Shrine (Jingu) in Shimamoto, Osaka in

Showa 14 (1939) receiving the “God-fire” for the forge on behalf of Seki
swordsmiths. This was on the 700th anniversary of the death of Emperor
Gotoba (1180-1239) and that shrine is dedicated to him.
[Seki Kaji Tosho, 1995] Forging at Seki Tanren Juku around 1938.

19
22 21 20 19 18 17

Kuriyama Kaneaki Niwa Kanematsu

Murayama Kanetoshi Morita Kaneshige
ca. 1940 (age 52) Kanenobu
ca. 1940 (age 35) ca.1941 (age 41)
(1888-1966) ca, 1940 (age 66)
(1905-1978 ) (1900 -)
(ca.1874-1941)
20
17. 兼信 Kanenobu (丹羽 兼松 Niwa Kanematsu) (report has 丹波 should be 丹羽)
This is Niwa Kanematsu Kanenobu 兼信 the father, who was a student of Fujiwara Kaneyoshi (KAN 3067).
Address in 1937: Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Shin-machi. Deshi in 1937: 1. [he is not in the later Seki register]
Appears to be born Meiji 7 (1874) and died in Showa 16 (1941) age 67.
History: has been making swords for 40 year from age 20 [that is from 1894].
Summary: during the Meiji sword ban Kanenobu continued as a student with Shinseishi Kaneyoshi. After his death
he joined the new Seki Nipponto Tanren around 1933/34 with Kanenaga and other students of Kaneyoshi, and was
one of the senior teachers.
The Kanenobu father and son were together in a workshop established in May 1938 (Showa 13) called Seki Token
Kabushiki Kaisha at Suehiro-cho in Seki (also with Kanetaka, Toki Sukenobu and Kanetoshi). Their blades were
polished by their own togishi. These swords went to the arsenal (Nagoya) but by 1942 also accepted orders from
the public. This company had 18 togishi and ~100 workers for koshirae.
Both Kanenobu’s are also listed with another company Kanemoto Shokai (in 1942 Directory) but he may have
retired around 1940.
Hawley: KAN 1815 1816 1826
Example mei: Kanenobu 兼信 Noshu ju Kanenobu saku 濃州住兼信作
Niwa Shuji Kanenobu (丹羽 脩司 兼延)
The Kanenobu in the Seki registration list is the son Shuji Kanenobu: Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25.
[Note: this incorrectly uses 兼信, and in 1939 and at same address].
Born 5 April, Meiji 36 (1903) was 2nd son (adopted) of Niwa Kanematsu Kanenobu (兼信)
and started to learn sword making from him in Taisho 6 (1917) at age 14.
In Showa 15 (1940) he became the first Jumei Tosho at the Ogura Army
Arsenal, at Kokura City, Fukuoka. [but later returns to Seki].
Showa 18 (1943): received Gijutsu-sho (Technical Prize) from Zohei Sha (“arsenal”).
He became a Rikugun Jumei Tosho, and in 1943 was ranked by the two NTT/NTS
organisations at Maegashira level.
Address post-war: Gifu-ken, Kamo-gun, Tomika-mura, Kajita 768.
Post-war reg: Showa 42 (1967) June 19.
An excellent engraver of horimono, worked in ko-itame with strong ji-nie,
wide suguha and ko-notare with ko-nie. Niwa Shuji Kanenobu
He continued working and was appointed as Important Culture Asset (Mukei Bunkazai) ca. 1940 (age 37)
of Gifu in November, Showa 48 (1973). (ca.1903- )
Hawley: KAN 1775, 1776, 1777 (error here uses 丹波). JSS: 54-55. GTM: p.160.
Example mei: Kanenobu 兼延 Noshu ju Kanenobu 濃州住兼延

18. 兼明 Kaneaki (栗山 健次郎 Kuriyama Kenjiro)

Born: Meiji 21 (1888) Dec 4; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25.
1937: Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Tochibora. 1939: same address. Deshi in 1937: 2.
History: worked for over 30 years, trained under Adachi Iwayoshi for 9 years [?]
Summary: in slow pre-war period made tanto. First teacher was Narataro Kanesumi of Seki. Became a student of
Niwa Kanenobu 兼信 and studied sword forging methods.
In 4th exhibition (1939) and 5th (1940) won Kinpai (gold medals) plus recommended in 5th.
In 1942 directory under Kanemoto Co. Ltd. (Kanemoto Shokai) in Seki, other swordsmiths: Niwa Kanenobu, Niwa
Kanenobu, Kato Jumyo. Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho in wartime.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 2nd level of 5.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku). Later war was VC in Seki Token Kaji Kumiai (Corporation).
1943: ranked by two Token associations NTT & NTS as “Maegashira” as in sumo (lowest of high ranks).
Post-war he registered on Showa 30 (1955) Dec 10.
Died in August 1966 (Showa 41) age 78.
Hawley: KAN 614, 621. JSS: 37
Example mei:
Noshu ju Kuriyama Kaneaki saku 濃州住栗山兼明作
Motte Yasuki Tetsu Kuriyama Kaneaki saku 以安来鐵栗山兼明作
21
19. 兼重 Kaneshige (森田 勇 Morita Isao)
Born: Meiji 33 (1900) Nov 13; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25.
1937: Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Kata-machi. 1939: same address. Deshi in 1937: 1.
History: early trained under Mizuta Seijiro (Kunishige) to Showa 7 (1932). Independent in
1938 and moved to Seki, Kamo-gun.
Summary: working in Kamo-gun but his forging not typical of Mino-den. Trained by Ikeda
Mizuta Seijiro Kunishige of Settsu (Osaka). He first signed Kanemasa, then from 1936
signed Kaneshige. Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho in the war.
1939: 4th shinsakuto received high award (Saiko-sho) by Nakayama Hakudo for tameshigiri.
1941:6th shinsakuto exhibition 2nd level of 5.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku). Morita Kaneshige
ca. 1952 (age 52)
1943: ranking by NTT/NTS organisations as Maegashira (lower of higher ranks like sumo). (1900- )
1944:Tosho Banzuke 6th level of 7 (Chuge Saku).
1944: Rikugun Gunto Gijutsu Shorei Kai (“Army Association”) received Nyusen-sho.
Post-war: reg Showa 29 (1954) Dec 4. Gifu-ken, Minokamoshi, Kamonosho, Hon-machi 68/39.
1952: at opening of new Fujiwara tanrenjo in Seki.
Won 3 Nyusen-sho in shinsakuto exhibitions (1965-1967).
Hawley: KAN 2265. JSS: p.63. GTM: p.175.
Example mei: Noshu ju Morita Kaneshige saku 濃州住森田兼重作
20. 兼義 Kaneyoshi (河合 義文 Kawai Yoshifumi)
Born: Meiji 35 (1902) Oct 25; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25/20?
1937:Kamo-gun, Kajita-mura, Shita-machi. 1939: same address. Deshi in 1937: 1.
History: was a nephew of, and trained under Watanabe Kanenaga (#16) in Seki-machi.
Became independent in Showa 9 (1934).
1941: 6th shinsakuto 2nd level of 5.
1942: Toshu Banzuke 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku)
Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
1952: at opening of new Fujiwara tanrenjo in Seki.
Hawley: KAN 3111, 3112, 3113. JSS: p.74.
Example mei: Seki ju Kaneyoshi saku 関住兼義作
21. 兼俊 Kanetoshi (村山 喜之一 Murayama Yoshinoichi)
Born: Meiji 38 (1905) Aug 3; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Deshi in 1937: 1.
1937:Kamo-gun, Tomita-mura, Hanyu. 1939: same address.
History: trained under father Murayama Kaneyuki (#30). Died February 23, 1978.
Independent from Showa 9 (1934) with tanrenjo at Kamo-gun, Kamono-mura.
Summary: also trained under Niwa Kanematsu Kanenobu 兼信.
In pre-war shinsakuto exhibitions won 3 Nyusen-sho, also Kinpai (Gold medal) and
Daijin-sho (Ministers Award)
Murayama Kanetoshi
1940: 5th shinsakuto exhibition submitted long tachi (nagasa 115 cm) won recommendation. ca. 1952 (age 47)
1940: in tameshigiri section by Nakayama Hakudo his sword gained good review. (1905- )
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 2nd seat of 5.
Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho, also employed fulltime by Seki Token Kabushiki Kaisha.
Hawley: KAN 2632 JSS: p.70.
Example mei: Kanetoshi 兼俊
Noshu Kanetoshi saku kore 濃州兼俊作之
22. 兼清 Kanekiyo (廣瀬 清左エ門 Hirose Kiyozaemon) Not found in Seki registration list
1937: Inaba-gun, Naka-mura, Shinkanou. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: from Meiji 32 (1899) trained under Kouketsu Ginshichi 交告(纐纈)銀七 in Seki-machi.
Became independent with own home forge.
Summary: No information found on either tosho. Estimate born in Meiji 17 (1884).
Hawley: KAN 1216, 1217(?)
Example mei: Kanekiyo 兼清
22
28 27 26 25 24 23

Okada Kanesada
ca. 1940 (age 35)
(1905—)

23
23. 兼貞 Kanesada (古田 貞市 Koda Sadaichi) (Koda also read as Yoshida)
Born: Meiji 37 (1904) July 5; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 27. Died on May 29, 1974 age 70.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Kou 1383. 1939: Seki-machi, Umegae-machi. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: Taisho 8 (1918) Nov trained as Mino tosho. Became independent Showa 10 (1935) Jan.
Summary: became Rikugun Jumei Tosho
Hawley: KAN 2104 Example mei: Kanesada 兼貞
24. 兼丑 Kaneushi (report error) should be 兼吉 Kaneyoshi) (吉田 丑之助 Yoshida Ushinosuke)
Born: Meiji 34 (1901; Ushi year) Feb 2; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8.
1937: Kamo-gun, Tahara-mura. 1939: Kamo-gun, Tahara-mura, Kohasama/Ozakoma. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: studied token tanren since Taisho 10 (1921). Deshi in 1937: 0.
Summary: 1940 listed in Seki City directory (Tou To Seki, 1940).
1941: 6th Shinsakuto: level 5th seat of 5 (Rising Tosho)
Hawley: KAN 3068 JSS: p.75
Example mei: Kaneyoshi 兼吉
Seki ju Yoshida Kaneyoshi saku 関住吉田兼吉作
25. 兼定 Kanesada (岡田 定男 Okada Sadao)
Born: Meiji 38 (1905) Sept 9; Reg Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Died September 1, 1966, age 61.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1921/2. 1939: Seki-machi, No-machi. Deshi in 1937: 0.
History: trained as swordsmith from Showa 10 (1935) April under Okada Kaneyoshi (#7).
Summary: during the war was employed by Noshu Nipponto Tanrenjo. Brother of Okada Kaneyoshi.
1938: 3rd shinsakuto exhibition received Nyusen-sho.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 6th level of 7 (Chuge Saku)
Hawley: KAN 2063
Example mei: Kanesada 兼定
Noshu Seki ju Okada Kanesada saku 濃州関住岡田兼定
26. 兼高 Kanetaka (松田 高市 Matsuda Takaichi)
Born: Meiji 44 (1911) Sept 16; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Aza naka-machi. 1939: Seki-machi, Naka-machi. Deshi in 1937: 1.
History: trained from Taisho 13 (1924) under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi). Independent Showa 5 (1930) May.
Hawley: KAN 2419
Example mei: Kanetaka 兼高
Noshu Seki ju Matsuda Kanetaka saku 濃州関住松田兼高作
27. 兼若 Kanewaka (不破 準一 Fuwa Junichi)
Born: Meiji 41 (1908) May 27; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Died September 11, 1967.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1750. 1939: Seki-machi, Hasedera-cho. Deshi in 1937: 2.
History: trained from Taisho 13 (1924) under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi). Independent Showa 4 (1929).
Summary: 1942: Tosho Banzuke 7th level of 7 (Ge Saku)
Hawley: KAN 2913
Example mei: Kanewaka 兼若
Seki ju Fuwa Kanewaka saku 関住不破兼若作
28. 兼定 Kanesada / 貞継 Sadatsugu (高井 貞次郎 Takai Sadajiro)
(different tosho name on Seki registration, probably should be Sadatsugu in 1937)
Born: Meiji 35 (1902) May 24; Reg: Showa 16 (1941) April 11. Died Showa 43 (1968) May 20, age 66.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Kou 1120. 1939: Seki-machi, Ippongi. Deshi in 1937: 1.
History: from Taisho 4 (1915) studied under Fukumoto Hideyoshi [Amahide?]. Taisho 11 (1922) independent.
Summary: became Rikugun Jumei Tosho. Maybe also studied under Kasama Shigetsugu in Tokyo.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 5th level of 5 (Takai Sadatsugu)
1942: Tosho Banzuke 6th level of 7 (Chuge Saku)
Hawley: SAD 780.
Example mei: Sadatsugu 貞継 Takai Sadatsugu 高井貞継
24
34 33 32 31 30 29

Kojima Kanenori
ca. 1952 (age 45)
(1907- )
25
29. 兼友 Kanetomo (三輪 静夫 Miwa Shizuo)
Born: Taisho 5 (1916) Mar 31; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 20. Deshi in 1937: 0. Died July 27, 1994, age 78.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1757. 1939: Seki-machi, Nagasumi-cho (same address as Kojima Kanemichi,
Kurimoto Kanemasa and Tsukahara Kanetsugu).
History: Showa 4 (1929) trained under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi). Then independent and in business.
Summary: Worked for Seki Kyoshinsha medium size private company during the war, headed by Kojima
Kanemichi. Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 2nd level of 5.
1944: Rikugun Gunto Gijutsu Shorei Kai (“Army Association”) received Nyusen-sho.
Hawley: KAN 2549, 2572
Example mei: Kanetomo 兼友
Seki ju Kanetomo saku 関住兼友作
Noshu Seki ju Miwa Kanetomo saku 濃州関住三輪兼友作
30. 兼幸 Kaneyuki (村瀨 鈴一 Murase Suzuichi) (1939 written as Murayama 村山)
Born: Meiji 17 (1884) May 2; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Deshi in 1937: 0. Died Dec 28, 1961, age 77.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1757/1. 1939: Kamo-gun, Tomita-mura, Ono.
Seki registration has 3 Murayama, Kaneyuki & two sons Kanetoshi (Yoshinoichi, 1905) #21 and Kaneshige
(Shigeaki, 1909). They are all at same address & registered on same day. Shigeaki is not in the 1937 report.
History: from Showa 10 (1935) Dec Kaneyuki trained under Watanabe Kanenaga (#16).
Summary: became Rikugun Jumei Tosho
Hawley: KAN 3157. JSS: p.75.
Example mei: Murayama Kaneyuki 村山兼幸
Noshu Seki ju Murayama Kaneyuki saku 濃州関住村山兼幸作

兼重 Kaneshige ( 村山 重明 Murayama Shigeaki) (not in 1937 report)

1939: Born: Meiji 42 (1909) July19; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 8. Died July 9, 1982, age 73.
1939 address: Kamo-gun, Tomita-mura, Ono.
Trained under his father (#30) and brother (#21). Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
1942: Tosho Bakzuke of Hikosaburo, rated as 5th of 7 (Cho Saku).
Hawley: KAN 2263. JSS: 64-65.
Example mei: Noshu Seki Kaneshige saku 濃州関兼重作
Noshu ju Murayama Kaneshige saku 濃州住村山兼重作

31. 兼則 Kanenori (小島 太郎 Kojima Taro)

Born: Meiji 40 (1907) Nov 25; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1765. 1939: Ohira-cho, Seki-machi. Deshi in 1937: 2.
History: From Taisho 11 (1922) trained under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi). Independent from Showa 6 (1931).
Summary: Trained under his older brother Kanemichi at age 15 from Taisho 11 (1922) and later in the Kanenaga
Nihonto Tanren Juku. Became an independent swordsmith in Showa 6 (1931).
Kanenori received awards at a number of exhibitions.
1936: shinsakuto exhibition: Tokusen Meiyo-sho, he received Nyusen-sho.
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition: Tokusen-tankou in the 1st of 5 levels.
1942 Tosho Banzuke rated Chujo Saku (Joko no Joi) 4th of 7 levels.
1944 the shinsakuto exhibition in Tokyo and was run by the Army,
he received Nyusen-sho in RJT section.
Appointed as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho early 1943 and worked for
Seki Kyoshinsha (medium size private company).
Post-war registration was in February 7, 1969 (Showa 44).
1952: at opening of new Fujiwara tanrenjo in Seki.
He won Nyusen-sho 8 times at the contests held by the Japanese Kanenori
Sword Preservation Society. ca.1976 (age 69)
In 2000 he received Doryoku-sho (3rd) and in 2001 received (1907- )
Yushu-sho (2nd) in the Shinsakuto-meito.
26
Continued ….31. 兼則 Kanenori (小島 太郎 Kojima Taro)
Hawley: KAN 1900, 1901, 1929, 1930. KAN: 56-57.
Example mei: Kanenori 兼則
Noshu Seki ju Kanenori saku 濃州関住兼則作
Seki ju Kojima Kanenori saku 関住小島兼則作
Noshu Seki ju Kanenori saku kore 濃州関住兼則作之
32. 信光 Nobumitsu (佐光 信一 Sukemitsu Shinichi)
Born: Meiji 38 (1905) June 24; Reg. Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. Deshi in 1937: 1. Died July 21, 1993, age 88.
1937:Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1962. 1939: Seki-machi, Ohira-cho.
History: Taisho 6 (1917) trained under Kojima Shichiuemon (Katsumasa). Independent from Showa 2 (1927).
1942: Tosho Banzuke of Hikosaburo ranked 7th of 7 (Ge Saku).
Hawley: NOB 360, 362. JSS: p.135.
Example mei:
Nobumitsu 信光
Sukemitsu Nobumitsu saku 佐光信光作
Seki Sukemitsu Nobumitsu saku 関佐光信光作
Noshu Seki ju Sukemitsu Nobumitsu tamahagane kore kitau 濃州関住佐光信光玉鋼之鍛
33. 兼久 Kanehisa (大澤 勘一 Ozawa Kanichi)
Born: Taisho 4 (1915) Jan 2; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 26. Deshi in 1937: 0.
1937: Bugi-gun, Seki-machi, Otsu 1916. 1939: Seki-machi, Ohira-cho.
History: from Showa 2 (1927) trained under Kojima Kanetoki (Kanemichi).
Independent from Showa 10 (1935).
Summary: trained under Kanemichi at Seki-machi, Yoshimoto-cho. From 27 years old
(1942) he was well known and head of Nipponto Tanrenjo. Also made custom tanto.
Became Rikugun Jumei Tosho.
1942 directory lists Kanehisa Token Dokoro (Kanehisa Sword Shop) in Gifu.
1942: Tosho Bazuke listing by Kurihara Hikosaburo as 7th level of 7 (Ge Saku).
He died early age 30 on July 7, 1945 (before reaching his potential).
Note: the surrender of Japan was announced by Emperor Hirohito on August 15, 1945.
Hawley: KAN 962, 998.
Example mei:
Kanehisa 兼久
Ozawa Kanehisa saku 大澤兼久作
Noshu Kanehisa Saku 濃州兼久作
Noshu Ju Ozawa Kanehisa Saku 濃州住大澤兼久作 (Seki stamp & kokuin)
34. 兼久 Kanehisa (丹羽 喜八 Niwa Kihachi) (error: should be 丹羽 not 丹波 )
Born: Meiji 41 (1908) Dec 6; Reg: Showa 14 (1939) Oct 25. Deshi in 1937: 1.
1937: Bugi-gun, Shimonoyasu-mura 2498. 1939: same address
History: early was a student of Iyehiro (smith & location not known).
He later trained under Murayama Kanetoshi (#21).
Summary: became Rikugun Jumei Tosho
1941: 6th shinsakuto exhibition 3rd level of 5.
1942: Tosho Banzuke 5th level of 7 (Chu Saku).
1944: at last Rikugun Gunto exhibition run by the Army received Chairman’s Award
(Kaicho-sho), this was held at Yasukuni Jinja.
Died in Heisei 1 (1989) on January 1.
Hawley: KAN 997 (error here 丹羽 should read as Niwa not Tamba)
Example mei:
Kanehisa 兼久
Niwa Kanehisa saku 丹羽兼久作 (right: example of mei to confirm reading)

27
 ASSOCIATED SWORDSMITHS
Shoda Kishichi MASAFUSA 荘田 喜七 正房
Born Taisho 5 (1916) April 10, possibly in Aichi Prefecture. Not in Seki registration list.
1931: Showa 6, joined school of Hayama Masatsura (MAS 1258) in Mikawa (Aichi-Owari)
1936: Showa 11, joined school of Fujiwara Kanefusa 23rd gen. for 6 years.
1939: Showa 14, submitted to 4th shinsakuto exhibition, received Nyusen-sho.
1941: at Nihonto Gakuin in Zama, Kanagawa (part of Kurihara Akihide school) graduated
with Shihan Koshu, short higher level training (“masters seminar”) in the group of Hayama Enshin 羽山円真.
1941: 6th shinsakuto ranked 3rd level of 5, plus in cutting test by Nakayama Hakudo as “best” (2nd of 3 levels).
1942: 7th shinsakuto won Kaigun Daijin Sho (Minister of Navy Award), also became a
Rikugun Shokoto Shitei Tosho (higher than Jumei).
1942: in Tosho Banzuke of 400 tosho was ranked at 4th level of 7 (Chujo Saku).
1942: joined Seki Nihon Token Kaisha (Seki Japanese Sword Company)
Made some swords with Yasugi steel from Shimane prefecture, also made traditional
swords of kobuse structure.
1946: (Showa 21) started a tosho business in Toyohashi, Aichi.
Post-war registration Showa 29 (1954) Nov 27.
1965: participated in Seki Dai Ichi Fuigi ceremony with Kanefusa and Kanezane.
He was still working in 1975.
Hawley: MAS 67, 70, 71. JSS: p.97-98. GTM: p.142.
Example mei: Mitsumichi-ko Shoda Masafusa saku kore 光道子荘田正房作之 Masafusa
Masafusa 正房 Minamoto Masafusa 源正房 ca.1970 (age 54)
(1916- )
Kaneko Tatsuichiro MAGOROKU / KANEMOTO 金子 達一郎 孫六 / 兼元
Born Taisho 13 (1924) January 26 in Seki. Died Heisei 20 (2008) age 84. Not in Seki registration list.
1937: Showa 12 enrolled in Seki Nipponto Tanren Juku (or then was “Jo”) of Watanabe Kanenaga.
1944: Showa 19, early tosho name was Magoroku, changed to Kanemoto in 1944 as he became 27th generation
at age 20. He was the legitimate successor to the family name.
In 1942 directory he has listing as Seki no Magoroku Tokensho (Seki Magoroku Swords Co.)
He was a Kaigun Jumei Tosho (Navy) during the war.
Submitted to shinsakuto meito ten 1944.
Post-war registration in Showa 40 (1965) Feb 15. From then won 20 prizes in shinsakuto exhibitions.
1997: Heisei 9, given Important Intangible Cultural Heritage status by Gifu Prefecture.
Hawley: MAG 9, KAN 1560. JSS p. 44. GTM p. 45.
Example mei: he tended to sign with a simple mei.
Kaneko Magoroku 金子孫六 Kaneko 金子 (1943) Kanemoto 兼元 (1944)
Ni ju shichi Dai Kanemoto (27th gen. Kanemoto) 二十七代兼元 (ca. 1970)

Kanemoto
ca.1970 (age 46)
(1924-2008)

Kaneko (glasses) and Watanabe Kanenaga at the Seki training school.

Left: Kanenaga and students around Showa 12 (1937) at Seki Nipponto Tanrenjo. Known students at the time were Niwa
Kanenobu (possibly father and son) and Kojima Kanemichi. Gentleman with suit looks to be from supporter association.
Right: around Showa 18 (1943) formal occasion possibly graduation or when Kaneko Magoroku becomes 27th gen (in 1944).
Part of sign at right reads “Tanren Juku” the new name of the school from 1938.
[photos from Seki Blacksmiths Museum] [Seki Hamono Sangyo Rengou Kai; [Link] ]
28
 A Letter From Kaneko Kanemoto
金子 兼元
2002
I recently found this copy of a letter in my files, however, I cannot recall how I received it.
I did previously own a Koto Kanemoto katana, however it was osuriage and mumei.
I believe this must have been from a generous sword collector in the USA, and around 2002.

Regarding the mei of Kanemoto

Without actually seeing the blade it is difficult to identify, but from the mei and the hamon I consider it to be
the 4th or 5th Kanemoto. That will be around the end of the Koto period about 430 years ago and between
the end of Koto and early Shinto.

Heisei 14, 1st month. (2002, January)

27th Kanemoto. Kaneko Magoroku.

29
兼秀 Kanehide (中田 勇 Nakata Isamu)
Born Taisho (1913) August 24 in Okuwa, Nagano. After elementary school in 1928 (Showa 3) moved to Shikoku
and became a deshi of 12th Dai Kawashima Masahide in Aki City, Kochi, completing 8 years.
1937:Showa 12, February, went to Seki to study at Nihonto Tanren Juku under Watanabe Kanenaga for 3 years;
became head student, and combined with Kanenaga on presentation swords (General Tojo, Hitler, Mussolini). Left
the Juku in Showa 15, December (1940). Took the names “Kane-hide” from his teachers.
1941: Showa 16, February 16, joined the Seki Token Kabushiki Kaisha (Co. Ltd) as a Rikugun Shitei Tosho
(appointed position). Also became a Rikugun Jumei Tosho (probably in 1943), and produced military swords.
Registered as a Seki tosho in Showa 18, March 3, 1943 (which appears to be late).
1944: Rikugun Gunto Gijutsu Shorei Kai (“Army Association”) Chairmans Award (3rd of 39).
Post-war registration in Showa 29 (1954) Nov 1; in competitions received Nyusen in 1954 and Dorokusho in 1959.
Made sword for the Emperor Hirohito in 1957.
1976/1977: Showa 51/52 became Mukansa and
Cultural Treasure of Gifu Prefecture, continued working.
Kanehide
Died in Heisei 1 (1989) age 76.
Left:
Hawley: KAN 850. JSS: p.41-42. GTM: p.81. ca.1940 (age 27)
Example mei: Noshu ju Kanehide 濃州住兼秀 Right:
Noshu Seki ju Kanehide saku 濃州関住兼秀作 ca.1970 (age 57)
(1913-1989)
Seki ju nin Kanehide kin saku 関住人兼秀謹作
Seki Kanehide saku kore 関兼秀作之

正直 Masanao (中田 勝郎 Nakata Katsuro )

Born Showa 18 (1943) March 14. The son of Kanehide.
Registered on Showa 46 (1971) Aug 10.
Trained under his father Nakata Kanehide from Showa 38 (1963) age 20.
Masanao
Shinsakuto Meito Ten won Nyusen 4 x (up to 1977). Oct 2012 Seki
Makes his own tamahagane. (age 69)
Still working in 2000
GTKSS: p.93.
Example mei:
Seki ju Masanao saku 関住正直作 (used on most blades)

兼成 Kanenari (後藤 良三 Goto Ryozo) (not in 1937 report)

Born Taisho 15 (1926) March 19. Not in Seki registration list.
Trained under Watanabe Kanenaga, entered Nipponto Tanren Juku in Showa 15 (1940) age 14 and graduated
Showa 20 (1945) age 19. Was a co-student of Kanemoto. He became 28th gen Fujiwara Kanenari.
1943: Showa 18, Rikugun Gunto Tenran Kai (Army) received Kinpai (Gold Medal). Held in November at Ueno.
1945: Showa 20, became Kaigun Shitei Tosho.
Post-war registration on Showa 32 (1957) Feb 9.
Won 12 x Nyusen-sho in Shinsakuto Meito Ten. Retired around 2000.
Hawley: KAN 1751. GTM p.54. GTKSS: p.91-92.
Example mei: Kanenari 兼成 Seki ju Kanenari saku 関住兼成作
Noshu Seki ju Kanenari 濃州関住兼成

Kanenari Kanenari
Kanenari
ca. 1976 (age 50) 2008 (age 82)
ca. 1971 (age 45)
Seki Sword Museum host

30
 Kosaka KANEYOSHI
(1837-1914)

Watanabe KANENAGA Fujiwara KANENAGA

Niwa Ogawa KANEKUNI (15)
Kanematsu (16)
(14) (1887-1943)
KANENOBU (1872-1946)
(1873-1937)
(17)
(1874-1941) KATSUMASA Kawazoe TERUHIRO
Nagamura KANEKIYO (1)
(6)
(1894- ) + IYEHIRO
Goto KANEHIRO Goto KANEMITSU Niwa KANEHISA
Kobayashi KUNIMICHI (11) (9) (34)
(8) (1907- ) (1887- ) (1908- )
(1901- )
Sukemitsu Murayama KANEYUKI
NOBUMITSU (30)
+ KANMATSU (32) (1884- )
Kumazawa KANETOSHI (1905- )
(12) Kawai KANEYOSHI Murayama
1899- ) Kojima (20) KANESHIGE
KANETOKI/ (1902- ) (1909- )
KANEMICHI
(3)
(1902-1983) Fujiwara JUMYO
+ At Fukushima
(13)
Okada KANEYOSHI
(1893-1956)
(7) Fujiwara KANEFUSA 23rd
(1908- ) Fuwa KANEWAKA (2)
(27) (1900- )
Okada KANESADA 1908- )
(25)
(1905)
Matsuda KANETAKA
Niwa Shuji Fujiwara KANEFUSA 24th
(26) Fukuda
KANENOBU (1922- )
(1911- ) KANETAKE
(1903- ) (4)
(1910-1989)
Asano KANEZANE + SHIGETSUGU of Tokyo
Murayama (5) Takai SADATSUGU
KANETOSHI (1912-1986) (28)
(21) (1902-1968)
(1905- )
Miwa KANETOMO
(29)
(1916- )
+ GINSHICHI of Seki
+ IWAYOSHI Hirose KANEKIYO
+ KANESUMI of Seki Kojima KANENORI (22)
Kuriyama KANEAKI (31) (1884- )
(18) (1907- )
(1888- ) +KUNISHIGE of Osaka
Morita KANESHIGE
Ozawa KANEHISA (19)
(33) (1900- )
Yoshida KANEKADO (1915-1945)
(10) + At Seki
(1906-1969) Yoshida KANEYOSHI
(24)
(1901- )

+ At Seki
Reference chart for swordsmiths and their teachers. Koda KANESADA
(23)
Note: this is based on information in the 1937 report and has some (1904- )
minor variations compared with recent tosho charts for Seki.

Names of tosho or locations in ITALICS are not detailed in the

1937 report but indicate previous training by that swordsmith.

31
 Japan’s Sword Exhibition Summary
Showa 9 (1934, November): Imperial Exhibition (included 112 blades) Meiji Jingu, Tokyo.
Showa 10 (1935, June): Shinsaku Nihontoto Daikyoshin Kai Exhibition, Marui Building, Tokyo.
Showa 10 (1935, November): 1st Shinsakuto Tenrankai (by NihontoTosho Kyoukai) at National Museum, Ueno
Showa 11 (1936, November): 2nd Shinsakuto Tenrankai (新作日本刀展覽會)
Showa 12 (1937): cancelled not enough tosho (many overseas on repairs).
Showa 13 (1938): 3rd Shinsakuto Tenrankai (smiths into six groups by status and quality).
Showa 14 (1939): 4th Shinsakuto Tenrankai
Showa 15 (1940): 5th Shinsakuto Tenrankai (groups of Special, then 1 to 5 seats)
Showa 16 (1941): 6th Shinsakuto Tenrankai (250 blades)
Showa 17 (1942): 7th Shinsakuto Tenrankai (470 blades) the last such exhibition, as taken over by the Army.
Showa 18 (1943, November): 1st Rikugun Gunto Tenran Kai at Matsuzakaya Dept Store, Ueno (300 blades).
Showa 19 (1944): 2nd Rikugun Gunto Tenran Kai at Yasukuni Jinja, Tokyo. The last exhibition (236 blades).
Post-war exhibitions become annual events.
Showa 30 (1955): 1st Sakuto Gijutsu Happyokai (Presentation of Sword Techniques) (52 blades).
Showa 40 (1965): 1st Shinsaku Meito Ten (Competition for Newly Made Fine Swords) (66 blades)
Heisei 3 (1991): 1st Shinsakuto Tenran Kai (Newly Made Sword Exhibition).
[C. Bowen, [Link]; Kapp et al.’ 2002]

Rikugun Jumei Tosho Ranking

21 December, 1944 (Showa 19)
(Gifu Tosho Winners only)
The ranking was conducted by the Rikugun Gunto Gijutsu Shorei Kai. There were three broad categories:
1. Awards in order of credit (48) with 3 groups: (a) Best [Rikugun Daijin-sho] (1), (b) President’s Award
[Sosai-sho] (4), ( c) Kaicho-sho [Chairman’s Award] (39).
2. Nyusen-sho for appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho (98) [Shitae Tosho].
3. General prize for non-appointed tosho (59) [Ippan Tosho].
There were also categories of (a) President’s Award for Zoheito (6); (b) Tameshigiri (20).
Chairmans Award. General Prize
#16: Nakata Kanehide 中田 兼秀 Yamada Kanemoto 山田 兼元
#18: Mori Kunitoshi 森 国俊 Kojima Kanetoki (son) 小島 兼時
#22: Ikeda Munetoshi 池田 宗俊 Adachi Kaneyuki 足立 兼行
#35: Niwa Kanehisa (+) 丹羽 兼久 Noro Masakane 野呂 正兼

Nyusen-sho. Presidents Award (Zoheito)

Kojima Kanemichi (+) 小島 兼道 Kyoshinsha, Yoshimasa 義昌
Takeyama Yoshinao 武山 義尚 Kyoshinsha, Kaneshige 兼茂
Morita Kaneshige (+) 森田 兼重 Kyoshinsha, Kanetada 兼忠
Kojima Kanenori (+) 小島 兼則 Kyoshinsha, Kanemasa 兼正
Fujii Kaneoto 藤井 兼音
Miwa Shizuo 三輪 静雄
Asai Toshihde 浅井 敏秀 Of 236 accepted blades, types were:
Sato Kanezumi 佐藤 兼住 209 traditional tanren to
Fujii Kanefuji 藤井 兼藤 6 arsenal blades (zohei to)
Tsukahara Kanetsugu 塚原 兼次 1 of special steel (tokushuko to)
Miwa Kanetomo (+) 三輪 兼友 20 blades as reference pieces (sanko to)
Mori Kaneshige 森 金重
Asai Toshimasa 浅井 敏正 Of 211 awarded prizes for blades tosho from
Asai Yasutsuna 浅井 安綱 Gifu won the above 26 prizes.

(+) these tosho were in the original 1937 report.

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Bibliography and Data Sources

Aoi Arts Japanese Sword Shop, 2020. [Link] .

Cox, M.E. & S. 2020. Nihonto no Bi. [Link]
Cox, M.E. 2021. Japanese Naval Swords WW2, Swordsmiths & Workshops. Downloads Nihonto Message Board. Parts 1&2.
Cox, M.E. & Freeland, N.G. 2021. Kojima Tokijiro Kanemichi 小島 時次郎 兼道 and Kojima Tosho Family, Kanetoki
兼時, Kanenori 兼則, Katsumasa 勝正, Seki, Japan. Downloads Nihonto Message Board.
Cox, M.E. & Toki, K. 2020. Seki Toki Swordsmiths, Toki Zenpei Kanemasa 土岐 善平 兼正, Toki Yuichi Sukenobu
土岐 雄一 亮信. Downloads, Nihonto Message Board.
Dai Nihon Token Shako Meikan, 1942. “The Great Japanese Sword Business Directory”.
Fuller, R. & Gregory, R. 1983. Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945.
Fuller, R. & Gregory, R. 1986. Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945. Arms & Armour Press.
Fuller, R. & Gregory, R. 1996. Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. Airlife Publishing Ltd.
Gregory, R. & Fuller, R. 1978. A guide to Showa Swordsmiths 1926—present.
Hawley, W.M., 1981. Japanese Swordsmiths Revised.
Kapp, L., Kapp, H. & Yoshihara, Y. 2002. Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths. Kodansha International.
Trotter, G.B. (2021). Japanese Swords in the Trotter Collection. Downloads file on Nihonto Message Board.
Tou To Seki, 1940. A catalogue and directory of swordsmiths and sword companies in wartime Seki. Published by Seki
Machi Yakuba (Seki Town Hall) p. 118. Seki City Municipal Library #293.9.
( 刀都関 can also be read as Katana Miyako Seki, meaning of “Seki the centre for swords”).
Kim, Jinsoo, 2020. Jp-sword, [Link]
Komiya, Nick, 2018. Gifu tosho list, 1937 Ministry of Interior. [Link]/forum/japanese-militaria/
Nihonto Message Board, 2020. [Link]
Ohmura, Tomoyuki, 2020. Military Swords of Imperial Japan, [Link]
Ono, Tadashi, 1972. Gendai Toko Meikan. Kogei Shuppan Sha. (GTM).
Ono, Tadashi, 1977. Gendai Toko Kinko Shokukata Soran. (GTKSS).
Seki Kaji Tosho Chosa Kai, 1995. Seki Kaji no Kigen o Saguru (Research into Origins of Seki Swordsmiths). Seino Insatsu
Kabushiki Kaisha.
Sesko, Marcus, 2015. e Swordsmiths of Japan, e document, Lulu, Inc.
Slough, J.S. 2001. Modern Japanese Swordsmiths, 1868-1945.
Stein, Richard, 2020. The Japanese Swordsmiths Index, [Link]
Tsuchiko, Tamio, 2002. The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths. (translation by Kenji Mishina).

33
Acknowledgements

The original 1937 report in Japanese was located and made available by Mr Nick Komiya and posted via War-
relics. Additional information on the report was located by Thomas Keep via Nihonto Message Board and who
also contributed to the translations.
A substantial amount of original information on wartime swordsmiths in Seki was made available by Toki Kunihiko
san (土岐 邦彦)of Seki and also by George Trotter of Perth.
Photos of swordsmiths have mostly come from the two books by Ono Tadashi san.
Translation of the document and a fuller understanding of many of the kanji by Sueko Cox made this article possi-
ble and is greatly appreciated.

Note on this Article

This article required translations of the names of the swordsmiths involved, which includes family name, given
name and tosho name. We have cross-checked these as best we can but note that often old kanji are used, and
in some documents have been replaced by a modern simplified version. In addition, commonly in Japanese there
may be several ways to pronounce a name, and it is not always clear how the tosho read the original mei.

Also, it appears there are some errors in the field data collected and then transcribed for the original 1937 report.
Every effort has been made to identify errors and contradictions, however, some may still have occurred for which
the author apologizes.

34