Tanto Mei

[Ed]

Have been trying to translate this mei for a bit, but it is proving difficult.  The top character has been drilled through, the rest is inscribed lightly.

 

The middle character is Mitsu 光.

 

It is the last character giving me trouble. I was thinking perhaps Tsune (常), but that doesn't really match, maybe Machi (市) which looks closer. ????

 

Can't find a smith using either of these possible names.

 

Anyone care to have a go at it, I would be interested in what you think.

 

I have attached several views in different lighting.

[Peter Bleed]

My bet's on "YUKI" as in Bizen Yukimitsu. pretty Bizen looking nakago IMHO

[kyushukairu]

I agree with Peter that the first character is 'Yuki' (行). I also think the last character is simply 'saku' (作) 

[Bazza]

Agreed, SAKU.  The first character has been drilled out, remember, so SAKU it is.  I half recognise the first character and can see it in my mind, but nothing associates with it.  Sorry.

 

BaZZa.

[Lance]

Aside from Yuki, maybe Nori?

Let me see if this works, I copy/pasted link for image from another post from my tablet, Imagine the whole left side of the Nori character deleted by the new hole leaving just the single right vertical stroke? https://m.imgur.com/gallery/YJCI2IU

Any chance you have other pics of the blade itelf?

Regards,

Lance

[Ray Singer]

To me, the closest is 守光作.

[Ed]

Thanks to everyone who provided their thoughts on this.  I must say that all of the kanji provided look like reasonable choices.  With so much of the top character missing, I am struggling with making a final choice.

 

Thank you,

Ed

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Ed, you can see here for a list of all Bizen smiths whose mei end in Mitsu.

 

https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=&kanji_op=ends&kanji=%E5%85%89&province=52&start_era=All&school_nid=All

[Ed]

Thanks Ray.