Mark with Japanese Mark: 渡部光中 "Watabe Mitsunaka" | #458122

渡部光中 "Watabe Mitsunaka". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Mitsunaka, 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.