Trouble with mei character

[Spartancrest]

I am doing some research on a museum's collection and have found many visual discrepancies with the text kanji and the actual mei on the guard. I have managed to pass a few changes onto the museum and they have taken them onboard. 

This one has most of the characters of the mei - but I can't find the first symbol and don't think it is the one presented. Any help would be appreciated [or am I barking up the wrong tree?]  船田一琴   Funada Ikkin

 

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[Shugyosha]

Hi Dale,

I think you’re right - Funeda Ikkin. I think the “Fune” kanji is just quite stylised. 

[MauroP]

As John said

[Spartancrest]

Thanks John and Mauro - I was just confused why the first character often has that Z shape on the right instead of a square box with a pitched roof, so it is a type of shorthand.

[Bugyotsuji]

Dale, have a look at some of these, and then add in individual writing peculiarities.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=草書　船&tbm=isch&hl=ja-jp&chips=q:草書+船,online_chips:字体:modWoe8KdOA%3D&client=safari&prmd=ivn&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3kpHz0776AhWtgc4BHWwECP8Q4lYoAXoECAEQBw&biw=414&bih=715