Japanese old iron sword guard TSUBA for wakizashi or katana, with peacock design, Edo period (1603-1867 AD); Sword guard TSUBA suitable for WAKIZASHI or KATANA. Size: 66 mm x 66 mm: round circle; Nakago-ana (blade opening): 26 mm x 9 mm; for the thick blade; Kozuka-ana (opening for the knife): 18 mm x 11 mm; Sekigane: obvious remnants of soft metal around nakago-ana – another proof of authenticity; Weight: 82.37 g; CONDITION: Good considering the age. Used. No serious damage. AGE: Over 200 years ago. It was made in the middle of Japanese Edo Period. This is the old original. This is never an imitation. Material: Iron, golden inlay This is serious old and real Japanese TSUBA, made by a specialist master. REFERENCES: The Kozuka is a short knife attached to a Japanese sword. It is a short blade in and of itself, as well as often being attached to the scabbard of longer katana, such as the uchigatana. In general, the kozuka was used for purposes such as whittling wood, cutting fruit, or other small tasks in the daily life of a samurai, but in an emergency could also be used as a hand weapon or projectile. As with other ornamented swords, the kozuka also came to be an object of fine craftsmanship, raising its artistic value much like with the kogai, which was also attached to a sword's scabbard. ⑦Sekigane (責金) A soft metal such as copper is fitted into the inside of the top and bottom of the Nakago-Hitsu. Sekigane is used to attach the Tsuba to the blade without looseness. So that Sekigane has a crucial role as a cushioning material. Especially an iron Tsuba, since it is the same iron material as the sword, it was essential to use a different metal material to prevent damaging the blade. https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/episode-1-the-charms-of-tsuba/ End