Need quick mei translation

[Strider]

Hello, I am watching this item on eBay and could not do the translation myself. I kept coming up with ta or da suke nori or suke take eBay number is 200158247649 Helop much appreciated Scott

[Darcy]

Sukenori.

 

But looks like it's too late. Was in very difficult condition anyway.

[Nobody]

Maybe this Sukenori. (not 500 years old koto)

http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/sukenori.jpg

[Strider]

Thank you for the replies. I did not really want to bid on this piece because as Darcy said it was in poor condition and I did not think there was a good foundation for a restoration. I chose this item to translate because I am new to nihonto and I thought a three character mei would be a little more realistic for me to practice on. I am glad to know that I came close, but I am interested in understanding what the first character represents and how it is used in mei. Thank you for your consideration, Scott

[sencho]

I was about to ask the same question... seems strange to only have "ta" or "da" in fromt of Sukenori...

 

of the four Sukenoris (using these charqacters) identified in Hawleys none have any suggestion of using the "ta" or "da"

 

:?

[Strider]

If anyone has any idea about this mei translation,please chime in with your opinion. I was very excited to get the translation correct even though I did not know it at the time, this was only my second translation attempt. The TA or DA character is what had me puzzled. Merci beaucoup Scott

[Nobody]

The answer is simple.

I think that the mei is Nagata Sukenori (永田祐則) as I said before. As for the mei in question, the first kanji 永 has been just worn away.

 

BTW, although this is not true for this case, kanji 田 (Den) alone can be a family name.

[Strider]

Thank you very much Moriyama San, I did not make the connection with you original reply. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question twice. I went back to the picture on eBay and could see what might have been the remains of the first kanji. I am now looking for another mei to attempt to translate. Thanks again, Scott Enloe