Mark with Japanese mark: 高橋正次 "Takahashi | #433286

高橋正次 "Takahashi Masatsugu". 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 Masatsugu, who worked as a "soukenkinkou" in the Nara line of the Takahashi house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.