Mark with Japanese Mark: 羽州　光時 "Ushuu Mitsutoki" | #458106

羽州　光時 "Ushuu Mitsutoki". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Mitsutoki, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Dewa Province (present-day Yamagata 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.