Mark with Japanese Mark: 上州住　重次 "Joushu ju | #458449

上州住　重次 "Joushu ju Shigetsugu". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Shigetsugu, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Kouzuke Province (present-day Gunma 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.