Mark with Japanese Mark: 小栗良直 "Oguri Yoshinao" | #458459

小栗良直 "Oguri Yoshinao". 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 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.