Mark with Japanese Mark: 平埜友道 "Hirano Tomomichi" | #458295

平埜友道 "Hirano Tomomichi". This mark is from a menuki, which are small decorative pieces placed under the binding of a sword. They serve several purposes, such as improving grip or providing good luck. This menuki was made by Tomomichi, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Hitachi Province (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) for the Hitotsuyanagi house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.