This looks to me like the signature of the man who carved the fittings. It is probably in NO WAY a reference to whoever made the blade. If I had to - I'd read this signature a either "Hoichi" or "Norikazu". If reseach were to turn up anything on this person I bet it would say ""Late Edo wood carver". This might also support my suggestion that this is a Japanese production - possibly for the Ainu trade, and NOT made by an Ainu.
Thanks for showing us the sword.
Peter
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