Help needed with one character in Mei

[b.hennick]

Here is a signature on a tsuba. I read the first character as Kazu or Ichi and the last as Saku. The middle character is the one I need help with and if you have information on  the smith that would be appreciated as well.

 

[Ray Singer]

Perhaps 一延作

[b.hennick]

Hi Ray:

What did you read the second character to say?

[Ray Singer]

'Nobu'

[b.hennick]

Thanks once again.