Opinions and mei translation on tanto

[Corucia]

Folks, I was wondering if I could tap into the collective intelligence of the Board and ask for some opinions, insights and help translating the Mei for the tanto pictured below. I have an opportunity to buy the tanto, which appears to be in nice shape, has attractive horimono and old NBTHK tokubetsu kichyo papers for both the tanto and koshirae. However, I've had some difficulty translating the mei, which I think is nobu kuni, although I don't think the second character matches well for kuni (at least given the images on nihonto kanji http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_mei.html). Also, as I haven't researched tanto's as much as I have tachi/katana, I'd welcome opinions from the Board regarding how this one stacks up in general. Also, I've been told that horimono adds meaningfully to value, but would welcome insights. Many thanks in advance

 

Eric

"Corucia"

[Corucia]

Here are some additional pics

 

Eric

[cabowen]

Nobukuni

[Corucia]

Many thanks Chris. That's what I thought but the second character wasn't totally clear to me. There appear to be quite a number of Nobukuni smiths across a variety of periods. Do you have any views on period? Do you think this is the smith from the Nanbokucho period?

 

Eric

[runagmc]

Here's some info on the Yamashiro Nobukuni lineage, http://nihontoclub.com/schools/YamashiroNobukuni

It looks like Nambokucho with Yamashiro and Soshu influences to me. One theory says nidai Nobukuni was a student of Sadamune. Anyway, I would be looking to this lineage.

[Guido]

The Bonji are ato and look hideous.

[Jean]

and not where expected, meaning probably done to hide hada ware

[Nobody]

The paper specifies Nobukuni (信國) of Tsukushi (筑紫) lineage.

[cabowen]

ato-bori 後彫り　meaning carved later.....not very attractive indeed.....

[runagmc]

yes, the ware would've looked better than the out of place bonji...

 

EDIT:the founder of the Tsukushi Nobukuni lineage came from Yamashiro Nobukuni school, so that would explain the style