Help Translating Fuchi

[Outrageous_Emu]

According to ChatGPT it says Mitsunaga saku on the left and Goshu on the right but I’ve had bad translations in the past. Can anyone please assist? 

[SteveM]

Hello Adam

I think trying to be 後藤光乗（花押） Gotō Mitsujō + kaō  (edit: should be read as Kōjō)

 

Gotō on the right, and Mitsujō (kaō) on the left. But there are many fakes, and I suspect this one is fake also. I'm not 100% sure of the character in red. It's quite a bit abbreviated on your fuchi. 

[Outrageous_Emu]

Thank you Steve. What makes you think it may be fake? Are there any other pictures I can provide?

[SteveM]

Any Gotō name will attract attention, as these guys were purveyors to the shōgun. So the name is prestigious, and the quality is almost guaranteed. So it is a name that will often be faked. The mei on this one is completely different to an authenticated one. I wrote "Mitsujō" above, but the actual reading should be "Kōjō". (same kanji, just different readings). 

 

Here is an authenticated mei from this artist. The name and kaō (monogram) are completely different. 

 

 

(credits to Aoi Art https://sword-auction.com/ja/product/3704/af20588-縁頭：後藤光乗花押/ )