Mark with Japanese mark: 菊川英利 "Kikukawa | #433287

菊川英利 "Kikukawa Hidetoshi". 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 Hidetoshi, 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.