Mark with Japanese Mark: 一鯉斎良直 "Kazurisai | #458458

一鯉斎良直 "Kazurisai Yoshinao". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Yoshinao, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Echigo Province (present-day Niigata Prefecture) for the Oguri house. 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.