An iron tsuba in round maru gata form, attributed to the Shoami school and unsigned. The design combines a Buddha's ray motif with an arabesque pattern, and cherry blossoms are inlaid in gold. Vertical height is 2 3/4 inches (6.9 cm). Stock number MGJ853, filed under Japanese swords and fittings, condition used.

A tsuba is the hand guard of a Japanese sword, and iron guards with gold inlay like this one are collected on their own as small pieces of metalwork. In Texas this suits a collector building a set of school-attributed guards, or someone restoring a koshirae who needs a round iron guard of this height. Because it is unsigned, the Shoami attribution rests on the style of the work, and the gold cherry blossoms against the iron are the detail that will draw the eye in a display case.

Key features

• Iron tsuba, round maru gata
• Buddha's ray and arabesque design
• Gold inlay of cherry blossoms
• Shoami school, unsigned
• 2 3/4 inches (6.9 cm) tall

The tsuba ships to your door in Texas, no dealer involved.