Norimitsu Signature Uncommon

[Jaron]

Here is a blade with a supposed Norimitsu signature I have not seen before.  I have also checked Nihontoclub.com signature database.  The signature as far as I can tell is 備前長船法光造.  It could be Bishu not Bizen but it is hard to tell.  I understand that 造 means construction but I am used to seeing 作 for “made”.  I don’t understand if someone is trying to pass off the signature as real and not gimei, why sign it in an oddball, uncommon way?  Here are some pictures.  I found one signature that did incorporate that kanji but the signature was much longer and 1400s.

 

Curious to what others think.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

[ROKUJURO]

Jeff,

I read it as NAGAMITSU and BIZEN.

[Jaron]

 My apologies, I forgot the kuni ju 国住

 

So this is the full signature I believe  備前国住長船法光造.  It’s that last character that doesn’t seem likely.

[ROKUJURO]

Jeff,

I gave you the name of the smith, it's NAGAMITSU. The full MEI would read  BIZEN KOKU (or KUNI) JU OSAFUNE NAGAMITSU TSUKURU, 

= NAGAMITSU of OSAFUNE village in BIZEN country made this. 

This does not necessarily mean that the signature is genuinely related to this smith. You will have to research papered/certified examples and compare.

[Jaron]

Thank you.