Any chance someone could tell me what these characters mean? I'd like to apologise beforehand in case I'm breaking any rules since I'm extremely new to forums but my curiosity is killing me!! I've had this sword for years and forgot its existence until a few weeks ago. I've been told by students who study Japanese that it's traditional Chinese and I've been told by students who study Chinese that it's Japanese, so I'm also kind of at a loss as to which language this is to begin with
It was an attempt to write "河內國" 

日语：河内国〔河內國〕／かわちのくに〔かはちのくに〕 

Kawachi No Kuni 

河內 - inside the river

國 - country