Bugyotsuji

There were two Bizen Norimitsu in that time period, with different characters, one 則光 and this one 宝光, but maybe it is 重光Shigemitsu?

Not able to get everything, sadly, but 関住白口貞弘作, where 口 = a kanji I cannot read. Assuming that it is a place name in the Seki area that begins with 白... (?) Or 白鵜, a play on the sound of his name 四郎? Shi-ro-u Giving up for now.

Good question MalX!

Interesting find! Is the hachimanza on the tehen magnetic, or brass, copper. etc? The Kamon looks to be the Honda family crest.

The Horyu paperwork clearly says there is a last kanji in the date, but that they cannot read it, using an open mouth box to indicate this i.e. 徳治三+口 I have found in the past that experimentation with different lighting conditions can (faintly) bring up a character that shinsa teams do not have the time to properly investigate. Certainly with just one dark photograph of your nakago, we here do not have a chance, but you, with time and patience, might. .

Thank you Moriyama Sama for Nebiki-matsu, that is the word I was looking for! (Shown also in Dale's guard with the roots encased as Kadomatsu).

吉日 it’s formulaic but 吉 = lucky/auspicious + 日= day

Sotetsu were given to Okayama and planted at the temple to Ukita Hideie, so it could symbolize this gift from Hachijo-jima. Another possibility is the New Year's kadomatsu ceremony where a whole baby pine was used, with roots. Some pine branch outlines and needles look quite similar.

Try ‘sotetsu’ Damon, and the story of the Ukita being banished for centuries to Hachijojima Island.

Agreed, but why do dealers use such fuzzy photos?

https://travel.gaijinpot.com/bizen-osafune-sword-museum/ General background information

Ken katabami, Ukita. The large Ukita contingent (who lost as part of the western forces at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600) would surely have lost credibility post battle and become homeless ronin.

The certificate is Chinese.

Ken-katabami, = Katabami flower with ken blades. 剣片喰

This was a seminal book Jan. Hoping the new one can come to fruition!