Help identifying inscription on tang

[GyRider]

I have two Japanese blades and both of them have markings on the tang. I don't know any history on them. Can someone please help me translate them? I included pictures of one. I will post pictures of the other one as soon as I can get a clear image. 

[GyRider]

This is the second sword with inscriptions on it. If any of you know what this says, I would appreciate it. 

[xiayang]

The first sword does not look Japanese-made to me.

 

The second one is more interesting, but unfortunately the last character is a bit out of focus in your image:

 

肥州住忠[?] = Hishū-jū Tada[?]

 

 

 

 

 

[Lilleskit]

20 minutes ago, xiayang said:

The first sword does not look Japanese-made to me.

 

The second one is more interesting, but unfortunately the last character is a bit out of focus in your image:

 

肥州住忠[?] = Hishū-jū Tada[?]

 

 

 

 

 

Could it be 也?

[Bugyotsuji]

肥州住忠広

Tadahiro maybe???

[Nobody]

肥後住忠利 - Higo ju Tadatoshi

 

Ref. 刀　肥後住忠利　昭和十八年五月日　Katana [Kumabe_Tadatoshi]日本刀　刀剣販売 サムライ商会[samurai shokai]

 

[GyRider]

Wow it does look like the writing in the picture you provided above MORIYAMA Koichi. What does that mean? Does it tell you anything about the history of the blade? 

[mecox]

Kumabe Tadatoshi was an excellent smith from Kumamoto, produced gendaito through the war, also Kumabe Tadatoshi was one of 13 tosho selected by NBTHK to make swords for the 59th reconstruction
of the Ise Shrine (scheduled for 1949 but held in 1953).

Background and examples in paper on Fukuoka Prefecture Kyushu, in NMB Downloads (see top line of NMB front page)

[GyRider]

 

 

I attached a picture of the whole blade and a better image of the last character on the tang. 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

 

That’s better. I completely missed the two down strokes of 利 way over near the edge on the right!
Thanks! 

[Tohagi]

Can you provide a full picture of the nakago of the first blade ?

Thank you, 

 

Eric