A LARGE IRON BAKUMATSU TSUBA
Late 19th century
Of rounded rectangular form with slightly raised rim, inlaid in dark shibuichi with Wasobyoe (the Japanese Gulliver) held in one hand of a giant, who holds the other hand to his face, which bears a puzzled expression, details inlaid with gold and shakudo, inscribed Furukawa Genchin; with wood storage box. 8.9cm (3½in). (2).
Footnotes
鍔　大太法師と和荘兵衛　銘「古川元珍」　19世紀後期

For a tsuba of almost identical design, see Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art: A Description of Historical Episodes, Legendary Characters, Folk-lore Myths, Religious Symbolism, Tuttle Publishing, Vermont and Tokyo, 1967, opp.p.555.