T412.  Iron wangata tsuba with gold nunome dragons.  9.1 x 9.1 cm.  The seppa-dai is .4 cm thick.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 3 cm.  My 1st impression of this tsuba was Jakushi; the dragons and the nunome would fit for that kantei.  But it was pointed out that Jakushi aren’t known for work in repousse; repousse (hammering from behind to raise the design) figures prominently on this tsuba.  Wangata (cupped shaped) comes, of course, from European influence.

Condition is pristine; there isn’t a mark on the piece.  The tsuba comes in a higher quality box with pillow and that box is housed in a lacquered box; conditions of both boxes are excellent.  $850.