Mark with Japanese mark: 菊川久英 "Kikukawa Hisahide" | #433277

菊川久英 "Kikukawa Hisahide". This mark comes from a "tsuba", a sword guard designed to protect the hand from contact with the blade and an opposing sword. It was made by Nanpo, who worked as a "soukenkinkou" in the Nara line of the Kikukawa house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.