Munesada - help on inscription

[Ron STL]

Here is a challenge that I'm hoping somebody and help with. Attached, show the ura of the nakago (very small nakago, I might add) on a tanto/kowakizashi by a Munesada (Genroku period). The date line is Genroku 4 and then zodiak form. The right hand column of kanji is what might tell a lot about this little blade, but it is beyond my reading ability. Also, below the date line is another very tiny inscription which may or may not be readable. I've gotten some good photos (good as possible, for me) and have pulled out this last section as a detail. Also, I've shown both of these photos as "negatives" which often makes it easier to "see" an inscription. Hopefully these photos will allow somebody to make sense of this inscription and explain it to us. I hope everyone finds this as interesting as I have! Thanks.

Ron STL

[k morita]

Hi,

[k morita]

Additional information:

The name of Higaki(Family name) Kunimasa appears　in [Nihonto Meikan] on page 291.

[Ron STL]

Thank you Morita san, this is interesting to learn. Is there a Horikawa family name mentioned also and maybe the he requested the carving? I need to search out an earlier posting on this kowakizashi. It has two narrow hi that are totally filled with kanji; I believe they were sutra prayers if I recall correctly. Higaki Kunimasa must had great patience and great eyes to carve the many kanji into the hi of this blade.

Ron STL

[Ron STL]

Looking, I didn't find an earlier post showing the amazing carving done on the kowakizashi, so here are a couple photos. The Ura photo is unclear, but you can see what I'm talking about.

Ron STL

[John A Stuart]

Ron, that is really special. Quite amazing actually. John

[Jiro49]

wow!