A little wakizashi with a LONG mei

[obiwanknabbe]

Hi everyone!

 

I have come into possession of another nice little wakizashi in relatively fine order. When I took off the tsuka, I was pleased to find a rather long mei inscription on both sides. I THINK i have done pretty well with the first part of it, that being the makers name. Please correct me if I am wrong but I think it reads "Ishu ju fujiwara aki ???". I just cant make out the last kanji.

 

Now the other side of the inscription has me stumped. I am pretty sure its the date as I can make out a few numbers and common kanji here and there. Is this a lucky day inscription or is that date zodiacal ?

 

Kore ? ? (nen?) ? ? Kore 8th Month ? ?

 

Thanks again for all your help

 

Kurt.K

[Nobody]

I guess that the mei reads

武州住藤原助隣 - Bushu ju Fujiwara Sukechika

以南蠻鉄造之八月吉日 - Made this from Namban-tetsu, a lucky day in the 8th month.

[obiwanknabbe]

Thanks for the correction. I did not find much about this smith other than when he worked and that he was rated 15 points in Hawley (if its the same man). Can anyone shed some light on this mans work or what he is known best for?

 

Regards,

 

Kurt.K