Tsuba opinions

[Mark S.]

My knowledge of tsuba is very limited.  Saw this one recently but have no clue what I’m looking at. Any opinions of this one?  Mei translation?  Is a gold-ish signature normal?  Is this tsuba just a decorative item? Thank you.

[Japan2112]

Saotome? Matsukaswa bishi (pine bark) mon

[Tanto54]

Hi Mark, the kanji look like Shogyoku, but I can't find any tsuba makers with a matching mei (in Saotome or anywhere else).  The "Sho" may be incorrect (hard to see).  Also wondered if the pine bark mon shapes were original or not and even if they are places where inlay has fallen out.  Can you tell in hand?

[Mark S.]

Saw this one on-line.  It was the only 2 pictures and honestly it didn’t fall in the ‘take a chance’ category, but I thought I would ask.

[TheGermanBastard]

Some softmetal inlays could be  missing in my oppinion