Mark with Japanese Mark: 勝茂　文化八年末 "Katsushige | #458431

勝茂　文化八年末 "Katsushige Bunka hachinen matsu". 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 Katsushige, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Hitachi Province (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) for the Un'no house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons.