A Shinto [1596-1781] Iron Tsuba Katana Guard With Brass Mimi

Chisseled with scrolling chanels and a kozuka ana and kogai ana. The oviod tsuba has [south fitted] copper kuchi-beni. The copper plug of the nakago-ana. Their function is to secure the tsuba firmly when mounted on a blade. These plugs are sometimes called sekigane. 2.75 inches across, 3 inches high