An iron tsuba, the hand guard of a Japanese sword, round in outline with lobed edges and worked in a basket weave pattern across its surface. It measures 2 7/8 inches, or 7.4 cm, in vertical height. The guard is unsigned and comes boxed. Condition is listed simply as used, with no further notes on rust, wear or losses, so the photographs stand as the condition report.

Iron tsuba are the entry point for many Illinois collectors of Japanese sword fittings, since a single guard can be studied, handled and displayed without owning a blade. The basket weave surface and lobed outline give this one its character, and the stated height lets you check it against a known blade or an existing display stand before ordering. Being unsigned, it is bought on the strength of the iron and the workmanship rather than on a name. Store it dry and handle it with clean hands to keep the surface stable.

Key features

• Iron tsuba, round with lobes
• Basket weave pattern
• Vertical height 2 7/8 inches (7.4 cm)
• Unsigned, comes boxed

The tsuba ships boxed to your Illinois address.