Tanto horimono

[Jesper]

I would greatly appreciate any help translating two horimono on a koto tanto, one on each side. The kanji are very tired due to polishing during the centuries. I do not think they are random characters for decoration purposes, but maybe a poem or similar. I know they are very faint, but am grateful for any help

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Jesper

[cabowen]

maybe:

 

南無山？二十一？

 

？　？　？　？　？　天

[Nobody]

By guesswork for the 2nd picture:

摩利支尊天 - Marici

[Jesper]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

A possible inscription to Marici is interesting. Marici/Marichi-Ten, being of Indian/Brahmanic origin, is the Goddess of Light and a deity of martial aspects and was a patron of the samurai. She is also called the Queen of Heaven. Marichi was also worshipped by the merchant class as a goddess of prosperity and wealth in the Edo period, but it seems unlikely to me that this horimono was made with the merchant class in mind. It´s to old for that.

 

The tanto is signed Soshu no ju SukeHiro. It has a sayagaki by Dr. Homma (from 1984) stating that the tanto is made by the SukeHiro who was active in the Bunmei era (1469-1487). He is according to Fujishiro´s ”Nihon toku Jiten” known for making horimono on his work. I believe the horimono to be original and not a later addition. It would otherwise probably be in a better condition.

 

Thanks again

 

Jesper