Fuchi Translation Assistance

[swordnoob]

Can anyone help translate what's written on this fuchi?

 

 

I believe the right side says 太田子朴 but I'm not really certain of the third character.

For the left side, the last two characters seem to be katakana ヌキ. I can't really tell what the first two are, but if they're also katakana then one or both might be リ?

As for the translation and meaning, I'm completely lost.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Bugyotsuji]

クリヌキ　くりぬき　kurinuki usually means gouge(d)/hollow(ed) out. Gouging or hollowing out.

[swordnoob]

Thank you for the translation. I would've never figured out the ク.

 

Would the inscription mean something along the lines of "hollowed out by Oota Kohaku" (assuming 太田子朴 is a name)?

[Bugyotsuji]

Oota Shiboku................ (also possibly Shihaku, Shibaku?) 

子 seems to be read Shi when in first position in Kinko names in my Kinko book.

 

I have *no idea what it alludes to, but on the face of it, yes, "Carved out by Oota Shiboku".

 

*The fuchi itself does not like it has been 'hollowed out'.

 

 

[swordnoob]

Thank you again for you assistance Piers. I've learned something new regarding readings.

Although I may never know exactly what the inscription alludes to, it'll be interesting trying to figure it out