Gendaito by Takahashi Yoshimune

Signature:  KasuGa Dai MyoJin TenShoKoDai JinGu HachiMan DaiBoSatsu, Minamoto YoshiMune Tsukuru, Dated Showa JuKun Nen Ni Gatsu Kichi Jitsu (Feb 1944).  Please refer to page 198 of ModernJapanese Swordsmiths for what appears to be this exact signature.
Year Made:  1944
Forging Pattern: Mokume
Tempering Pattern: Gunome Choji with Sunagashi
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  25.9 inchesNakago: 7.6 inches 8 mm thick and 32 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings: Shirasaya with Silver Habaki.
Overall Condition:  Yoshimune was Takahashi Sadasugu's older brother and entered the school of Yokoyama Sukesada n 1913.  In 1918 he became a student of Henmei Yoshitaka and was later a student of Enju Kunitoshi.  He won a Special Honor Noted Seat in the 1941 Gendai Exhibition.  This is a very fine sword in what appears to be its original polish.  The hamon is executed with precision and there is an abudance of activity that appears at all angles and lighting that I am not able to photograph.  The hada is a very fine dense mokume with chikei and ji nie.  The nakago is extremely well finished and shows the artist's attention to detail and pride in this sword.  All in all an exceptional gendai from one of the top smiths of his era.