K62. Star stamped gendai katana signed tachi mei Noshu Ju Kanenobu and dated Showa Ju Ku Nen Ni Gatsu Hi (a day in February of 1944).

Nagasa: 26 3/4″ 68 cm.

Sori: 1.8 cm.

Moto haba: 3.3 cm.

Moto kasane: .65 cm.

Saki haba: 2.5 cm.

Saki kasane: .5 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 21.3 cm.

Overall length in shira-saya: 37 1/2″ 95.5 cm.

According to a record sheet, supplied by the former owner and with which I agree, Kanenobu was born Niwa Shuji in April of 1903.  He began study with his father (1st generation Kanenobu) at an early age and became known for his horimono (carving).  During WWII he was appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho (Army Commissioned Swordsmith) and allowed to sign with the star stamp.  In 1973 he was named Mukei Bunkazai (Intangible Cultural Asset) of Gifu Prefecture.  Kanenobu is included in An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths by John Scott Slough, Nihonto Meikan, Gendai Toko Meikan, Toko Taikan (2 million Yen), and Fuller & Gregory.  This sword is tempered in regular horse tooth gunome with deep ashi.  There are also isolated clouds of nie running above the hamon.  The boshi is ko-maru with a sharp kaeri.  The hada is very tight masame.  The nakago is ubu with 2 mekugi-ana.  The blade is flawless.

This blade is close to being in polish.  There is an area at the base of the tachi ura with faint spotting (this look worse in my pictures than in person) and the occasional tiny scratch; that’s all.  It comes with a gold wash habaki and mounted in high class shira-saya done by John Tirado and in excellent condition.  Also included will be a record sheet with the listings from Slough and Toko Taikan.

2 pounds, 12 ounces.  $1,850.