M252.  Tokei tsuba.  7 x 7.2 x .7 cm on the rim (.4 cm on the plate).  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.8 cm.  Tokei (clock in Japanese) tsuba were thought to represent time but recent research by Fred Guyer in the US leads him to believe that these are secret Christian designs (adherance to the Christian faith could cost you your life in feudal Japan).  Whetever they are, this one is impressive; there is a deep black patina and subtle tekkotsu on the rim.  It comes with a Hozon paper from the NBTHK, dated 1999 and giving it to Tokei.  The tsuba comes in a quality box with pillow; it has been in the box for some time as the imprint of the tsuba is well marked on the cloth bottom.  Note: one piece of the inner lip of the box is broken.  $695.