Sword Kanji ?

[Dan-K]

I know that the pics are not that great but I was hoping that someone could identify the smith on this blade that came into a friends shop . Thanks in advance .

[GHP]

Seems to be missing the first kanji 長... where the hole is.

長曽祢興里入道乕徹
Nagasone Okisato Nyūdō Kotetsu

I found an image of Marcus Sesko's book (Google Book found online) with your swordsmith. I do not know if your's is authentic or a forgery -- I do see some differences in individual kanji / strokes. What Marcus points out is that this particular smith can be dated to around 1673 because of the way he writes this kanji:
興
Instead of the bottom "legs," this smith modified the legs to look like い. Yours is like this.

[Andy Van...]

Thanks so much for the help, I actually found a couple others with a hole through the first Kanji like this one. Not common but obviously done.



There are pictures of two more to come, both beautiful new polish. Hopefully you will be able to help with those also.


Thanks again, Van...Ft. Collins Gun Room