Mark with Japanese mark: 安田方教 "Yasuda Masanori" | #433344

安田方教 "Yasuda Masanori". 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 Masanori, who worked as a "soukenkinkou" in the Nara line of the Saitou house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.