Faint sayagaki

[Ray Singer]

I would put this at a longshot, but can anyone here offer suggestions on the left side of this sayagaki? I have put a few similar to perhaps bring us in the right ballpark. I would not reject that the lower left is a date, but appreciate hearing any options that I should consider.

 

 

Additional photos, and adjusted to the best of my ability to increase contrast and visibility.

 

[b.hennick]

Hi Ray I suggest that you try a UV light. You can often see more. Photoshop has a nice feature control/command i gives you an inverse view.

[Ray Singer]

Thank you Barry.

[Ganko]

Ray, sometimes if you moisten it slightly it will increase the contrast. That is a tough one , hard to get a pattern recognized when it is not there. I think the 2nd and 3rd characters look like Mei-o or Mei-toku to me?

[Surfson]

Ray, does it have a horimono?  Any chance it is Hori Do?

[Ray Singer]

Hi Bob, it does and I did look into that option but it didn't seem to be a match.

[CSM101]

The file size is too small. Usually I would use the highpass filter and then change the blend mode to soft light. Dodge/burn can also help. But with 66,9 kb it is simply not possible.

 

Uwe G.

[SteveM]

Left side looks like a name

杉田貴一

 

Sugita Kiichi (or something ending with ichi/kazu)

[Ray Singer]

Hi Uwe, I will take higher resolution photos and share. Also will try those methods.

 

And Steve, thank you! Was not something I had considered.