uwe

This is from Sesko, Mark: YOSHIKUNI (義国), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu –“Yoshikuni” (義国), real name Ikoma Yoshiichi (生駒芳一)

Almost all that Justin pointed out! Furthermore the orekugi (small hooks on the cheeks) are obviously made of wire* and pointing backwards. If you have a look inside, the ears (mimi) as also the “bridge” of the nose piece (hana) seems to be welded not riveted. The whole appearance aside, which looks suspicious, the lacquer on the inside is not properly applied, and as Justin mentioned, I also doubt it’s urushi at all. * first giveaway to spot a fake menpō.

“生駒” (Ikoma)!

Indeed!

I guess he… MUNECHIKA (宗近), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Munechika” (宗近), real name Fukuchi Toshio (福地鋭雄), born May 17th 1898, he worked as guntō smith and died April 29th 1974

Probably this guy: YOSHITADA (吉忠), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Saga – “Hizen no Kuni Yoshitada kinsaku” (肥前国吉忠謹作), “Yoshitada” (吉忠), real name Kinoshita Kōichi (木下幸一), born 1893, he worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō, jōko no jōi (Akihide), First Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941) Yes, it is “kigen”…in spring (春) 1940. About omote and ura. It might be the thing with Hizen blades and Tachi-Mei?!

Guess I have a spare copy, but unfortunately can’t let it for free…

The pictures aren’t good, but it seems to be a nice helmet 👍

…以地鉄…(oroshigane)?? Can’t see Fujiwara, Michael and I think Joe is referring to the book page with Terukado…

Maybe, “濃州住栗木…” (Nōshū jū Kuriki…). That might point to Kanemasa?

Ok, just saw you already asked. Then the fast answer while on the go… “奈良” (Nara) ”岩井戈右衛門” (Iwai Sai‘emon)

“備前国宗久作” (Bizen no kuni Munehisa saku) is chiseled there… Can we see the whole blade?

“亮信” (Akinobu) is my interpretation… AKINOBU (亮信), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Akinobu” (亮信), “Nōshū Seki-jū Toki Akinobu saku” (濃州関住土岐亮信作), real name Toki Yūichi (土岐雄一), born January 2nd 1907, student of Kanenobu (兼延), died May 14th 1993, he was working as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō and member of the local Seki Tōken, PLC (関刀剣), he is also listed under the reading “Sukenobu” of his characters, jōkō no retsu (Akihide), Second Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941).

I guess “濃州関住兼景” (Nōshū Seki Jū Kanekage)…