Need Mei help. Sakushu Ju (Mune?) (?)

[ChrisTucson]

I purchased an Omi No Yari from the estate of a Marine veteran of the pacific war (Iwo Jima and occupation). Blade- 20.5” and 13’ of the original shaft/pole remaining with iron guard. The tang was quite rusty and I at first thought there was no mei, but by holding the blade at one angle this signature came up. I have not rubbed or or sanded the Mei.  Only five kanji of which the first three are pretty certainly Sakushu Ju according to the Nihonto site. The next two quickly go past my feeble newby ability. No.4 may be Muni but the last looks more like a Moto. Hoping someone here might grace me with an opinion. Thanks.

 

 

 

[DTM72]

作 Saku

州 shû (Sakushu Province)

住 Jû (Resident of)

兼 Kane (First part of name)

先 Saki (Second part of name  Kanesaki)

 

Mimasaka Province (美作国, Mimasaka no kuni) or Sakushu (作州, Sakushū) was a province of Japan in the part of Honshū that is today northeastern Okayana Prefecture. Mimasaka bordered Bitchū, Bizen, Harima, Hōki, and Inaba Provinces. Mimasaka was landlocked, and was often ruled by the daimyō in Bizen.

 

 

[DTM72]

Additional information

 

https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN2135