Tsuba and signature help please

[Millsman]

Back on July 7th I made my first post on the tosogu forum. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16164 While I later found out that the sword was a good buy I learned the from those of you kind enough to respond that the associated fittings saya and kodogu were judged to be only of so-so quality. After being referred to some better quality examples and watching the awesome Utsushi - the search for Katsuhira's tiger.

I decided to once again take a newbie chance at an auction offering. I would again appreciate any comments good or bad. I purchased on the basis that I found the example attractive and however it is judged I will enjoy looking at it but I would like to know more and any recommendations on how best to care for it would also be most welcome. (No photobucket this time

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7992/h7uk.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img199/2135/nspm.JPG

 

I should have added that the tsuba was part of a package deal that included a katana in mounts the tsuba for this sword is very small a size that I would think would be more typical for a tanto.

Any thoughts welcome.

http://imageshack.us/a/img194/3733/24vj.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img19/4023/z977.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img809/7493/v8xa.jpg

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi George,the Tsuba-Mei reads

Tetsugendo Shoraku.

Haynes has listed him with his former Go Naoshige.He changed his Go to Shoraku when he became a Buddhist.It's a big name and there are many forgeries on the market.Nearly every time did he add his golden seal behind the Mei.Ludof

[Millsman]

Thanks for the translation. Real or forged signature,I love it. The ura manji on the belt of the horseman any particular significance or reference to a specific character? He also seems to be hooded? Identifiable? Thanks again.