An iron sukashi tsuba
Mito School, 18th century
Of octagonal form, the thick plate pierced with four panels, carved with the Shijin (the Four guardians of the cardinal points), identified as a ho-o bird, dragon, tiger and serpent, signed Mito ju Michinaga saku.
7.6cm (3in).
FOOTNOTES
鍔　四神透　銘「水戸住通壽作」　18世紀