C278.  Iron tsuba with sukashi of ginger.  7.8 x 8.1 x .4 cm.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.8 cm.  Nicely carved with the tiniest remnants of gold nunome on the surface; there are tekkotsu on the rim.  This is siged Shoami and likely dates to early or mid Edo period.  $295.