Q787. Tsuba with cocks and drums. 8.2 x 8.2 x .4 cm. The nakago hitsu-ana is .9 x 2.8 cm. This is made of quite fine shakudo and brilliant gold; there is probably a story/folklore associated but I don’t know what it is. This comes with a paper from the NTHK, dated 2007 and giving it to Awa (Province) Nomura Ha (Nomura School).

There is a crack in the rim. At 10:00 on my 1st picture, between a drum and a cock’s tail, the rim is bent in a bit and cracked. Not noticeable at all but it is there and I tell you about these things. Otherwise, the tsuba is luscious. Only the tiniest bit of gold is lost and there isn’t a scratch to talk about. $450.