Mark with Japanese mark: 熊谷義之 "Kumatani | #433507

熊谷義之 "Kumatani Yoshiyuki". 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 Yoshiyuki, who worked as a "soukenkinkou" in the Nara line of the Kumatani house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.