Iron, octagonal kawarigata shape. The image is of the tangs of swords arranged in pattern around the nakago-ana. The writing is not the artist’s signature, rather the writings are the inscription (mei) found on the tangs of famous Bizen swords: Yasumitsu, Morimitsu, and other inscriptions representing Bizen Osafune and auspicious dates for sword-making.

The holes in the top and bottom of the tsuba represent the peg-holes that would be punched into the tangs of swords, but here in this tsuba they possibly also can function as holes used to attach a wrist strap (udenuke-ana).

A unique design on a tsuba that is in excellent condition.

Mei/signature:
Several signatures of Bizen Osafune sword smiths

School/province: Unknown
Period/age: Edo
Measures: 7.60 cm x 7.00 cm x 0.35 cm