A Nobuie tsuba
By Nobuie, early Edo period (17th century)
The rounded rectangular plate slightly wider at the base and forged in iron bearing a dark purplish brown patina, the wide raised rim slightly rounded and carved on the web with turbulent waves in shishiaibori and pierced with the spokes of a wheel, the hitsuana plugged with gold, signed in large bold characters Nobuie
With Tokubetsu hozon tosogu (Sword fitting especially worthy of preserving) certificate no. 2001476 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), dated 2014.2.26.
3 1/8in (8cm) high