Mark with Japanese Mark: 如月斎　弘義 "Jougetsusai | #458327

如月斎　弘義 "Jougetsusai Hiroyoshi". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Hiroyoshi. Hiroyoshi worked as a soukenkinkou in the independent country of Hitachi area. 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.