Please Translate Mei on this Kogatana

[J Ambrose]

Hello to all,

 

I have been unable to find anyone that can translate the mei on this little knife. Seems like a couple of the Kanji are either too marred, or too weirdly styled.

It came with a nice Kozuka, and I hope that this mei will inform me as to its maker or era.

 

Please take a look and tell me what you think. It came with a nice Kozuka.

 

Thanks for any and all comments,

 

James A

[ROKUJURO]

James,

we have a special TRANSLATION section. If you post there, you will likely get the best help as the NIHONGO experts will look there.

It is very probably not a signature, so no relation to the smith - in most cases.

[Ray Singer]

Looks like:

阿州住藤原利平 - Ashū ju Fujiwara Toshihira