Help with Wakizashi translation please

[Matting2]

I have been trying to find a translation for the kanji on this Wakizashi. I was hoping the good people here could lend a hand. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Mark

[Matting2]

 

[tbonesullivan]

All I can see so far is that it probably starts with 備 前 BIZEN. It looks like there are two characters after that before the 住 JU character, and then the name. I'll give it another look when I get back from lunch.

 

EDIT: looks like it may not start with Bizen, but with 備 州 長 船 住 - BISHU OSAFUNE JU. The 州 and 長 are somewhat overlapping.

[Shugyosha]

Bishu Osafune Suke 

…can’t see the last one clearly enough. Not “sada” though. 

[tbonesullivan]

11 minutes ago, Shugyosha said:

Bishu Osafune Suke 

…can’t see the last one clearly enough. Not “sada” though. 

Maybe Suke Toshi? 祐 利

[Matting2]

Thank you everyone. I will get some better pics with angled light to see if it is clearer.

[Matting2]

[Shugyosha]

Hi Matt, 

I think David’s suggestion of Suketoshi is good: Hawley lists a guy signing similarly (Bizen Kuni Osafune Suketoshi) working around 1844. The style of the signature suggests shin shinto Bizen, so there’s a decent chance that this is your guy. 

[Matting2]

Thank you for your help

 

Mark