Fuchi signature translation assistance please

[Klop]

Dear members,

 

I'm trying to translate a fuchi inscription but I can't crack it alone. Using the book "Japanese art signatures" by James Self and Nobuko Hirose I get :

1: Iwa (character number 451, 8 strokes)

2: Moto (833, 5 strokes)

3: Kon (773, 8 strokes, chinese, no japanse equivalent given)

4: Hiro (404, 14 strokes)

5: X (inscription seems a bit messy, can't count the strokes and i find nothing matching).

 

Can you correct and/or complete this? Even if I've got the "Kon" right I still don't know the meaning of it, explanation would be most welcome.

 

Thanks you,

Eric.

[reinhard]

The signature reads: Iwamoto KONKAN + Kao (this is an artist's mark)

 

It is one of the biggest names in the history of Japanese sword fittings.

 

reinhard

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi Eric

here are 4 examples of authentic Konkan-pieces.Ludolf

[Klop]

Reinhard & Ludolf,

 

Thank you very much for the assistance! So I got the 4th character right after all, only I was looking at the hiro and not the kan.

 

And of course having no clue whatsoever that this is an absolute treasure that would suit my Masamune perfectly :lol:

 

To be honest I never even heard of the man, I'm just a novice at swords and fittings are not my main interest. So fortunately I didn't buy it as an original, no harm done on the financial front.

 

Best regards,

Eric.