Another Mei Translation Please

[drb 1643]

Here are another two swords that I would really appreciate any help with the translations. One is very difficult to see as I believe it is very old.

Thank you all very much.

Tom

[PNSSHOGUN]

First is a Mantetsu with the post 1943 Mei format "Mantetsu Kore o Tanzō". Second is certainly old, Koto at least, can we see pictures of the blades too?

[uwe]

“Showa Mitsunoto Hitsuji (Haru)” not sure about the last kanji?!

[SteveM]

昭和癸未春

 

Shōwa Mizunoto-hitsuji haru

1943, Spring

 

The other sword is too eroded for me to guess. The last kanji is likely 作, but... that doesn't tell you too much. 

[drb 1643]

The old blade is mounted in a kaigunto setup.

[ROKUJURO]

KOTO blade MEI could be MITSUYUKI, but it is difficult to read.

[Stephen]

for some reason i see a square box    kuniyuki?

[drb 1643]

Thank you both for your expertise. I know it is very difficult if not impossible to read what is not there, but I sincerely appreciate any information even if it's just an educated guess.

Tom

[Ray Singer]

The koto blade may alternatively read Kunimitsu saku (國光作)

[uwe]

I tended to “Shigemitsu”, but that was only a rough guess.

Tom use oblique light for a better shot!

[Ray Singer]

You may be right Uwe. It is challenging from the photo, but I can see that now that you've put forward the suggestion.

[SteveM]

It looks very interesting. I agree with the 囗光作 (first is illegible, but after that -mitsu saku), but I can't see enough of the first. It may also be 囗囗光作 (or, an even longer inscription). 

 

But the sword itself is also promising; in good condition, nice hada, good kissaki, just some slight scratches and what looks to be a horizontal scratch near the tip running in the hamon (maybe it comes from bumping against something in the saya?). And the saya looks quite good too - I'm not an expert in militaria, but the black saya with black tsuka seems slightly rare to me. Certainly rare to see any WW2 saya in such fine condition. 

 

Anyway, regardless of the WW2 saya, I think the sword would be a very good candidate for shinsa. I second your opinion that it looks like you have a very old sword in a very nice WW2 saya.