Mark with Japanese Mark: 加藤明周 "Katou Akichika" | #458039

加藤明周 "Katou Akichika". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Akichika, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Mutsu Province (present-day Fukushima Prefecture). Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons. A tsuba is a sword guard designed to protect the hand from contact with the blade. It also balances the weight of the sword.