C218.  Iron sukashi tsuba of 3 parasols.  7.2 x 7.5 x .45 cm.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.65 cm.  Fine dense iron with subtle tekkotsu on the rim.  This comes with a box with pillow and Tokubetsu Kicho paper from the NBTHK dated 1972 and giving the tsuba to Yagyu.  The Yagyu were a school of swordsmanship founded in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period and the 5th generation master of the school also designed tsuba which he had made to order.  The Yagyu tsuba have become quite famous for combining the warrior ethic with great art and are quite popular with collectors.  Condition is excellent.  $900.