A friend’s wakizashi

[Apercus]

A friend sent poor photos of a wakizashi someone gave him to practice sharpening with. He has forged and sharpened blades at the blacksmith shop in the past. Luckily after looking at it he decided it might be something he has no business doing anything to it. I don’t have my books with me but thought I might ask if anyone can make out the mei well enough from the poor photos to translate. I’ll help him know what he has and how to care for it or how to get it in the right hands of someone who will care for it if he wants to sell. The photos are a little out of focus and the characters are hard to see well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kyushukairu]

The wakizashi is signed 'Fujiwara Noriyuki' (藤原則行), most likely a mid-Edo, Bungo smith.