Yasunobu kinsaku tanto dated a lucky day in August, 1943. A lovely Yamashiro-den utushi-mono with ko-itame jihada and suguha-based hamon in ko-nie. Bio below courtesy of Markus Sesko.
YASUNOBU (靖延), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Yamagata – “Murakami Yasunobu kinsaku” (村上靖延謹作), “Yasunobu” (靖延), real name Murakami Ensaku (村上円策), student of Ikeda Yasumitsu (池田靖光), he made about1,000 blades for the Yasukuni forge.
Murakami YASUNOBU 村上靖延, given name Ensaku 円策 was born in April 24th, Meiji 40th (1907) in Yamagata prefecture.
He joined The Nihonto Tanren Kai foundation (NTK) 日本刀鍛練会 in December 15th, Showa 8 (1933) with his chief master smith Ikeda YASUMITSU 池田靖光. After 5 years’ practicee, he was given the official smith name YASUNOBU 靖延 by the War Minister, Itagaki Seishiro 板垣征四郎 in January 11th, Showa14 (1939) and played the chief role till the dissolution of NTK Showa 20th (1945) in the end of the War. Chairman awarded in the 2nd official military sword exhibition in December 21th, Showa19 (1944).
Article below from to-ken.uk:
“It was customary that swords were sometimes given as gifts by the emperor to graduates who attained distinguished grades at the Imperial Army Staff College and the Imperial Naval College. Known as “Onkashi-to”, katana were given to the Army whilst the Navy had tanto or daggers. These were swords of superior quality and the weight and dimensions, including the curvature, were very specific. After the inspection agreed that they were worthy of being Onkashi-to the smith was allowed to sign the sword and added the characters KINSAKU after his name, meaning “Respectfully made this”. Unlike normal work, the name inscription seems to have been made below the mekugi-ana or tang hole, on these swords. Of course as an Army organisation, it was unusual that even tanto blades would be made for the Navy, but this was because the official smith of the Imperial Naval College, Horii Toshihide, had become very ill and was unable to forge blades. Of course, it was a great honour for a swordsmith to have his work recognised as Onkashi-to. ”
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