Q741. Iron tsuba with sukashi of a bat. 8 x 8.3 x .5 cm on the rim (slightly thinner on the plate). The nakago hitsu-ana is 1 x 3 cm. There is a hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo, dated 1986, giving the tsuba to Tempo (a school of makers, not a smith). This is slightly unusual for the uneven sizes of the ryo-hitsu and unusual for Tempo in that the hot stamping is kept to a minimum. Both hitsu are plugged with patterned brass; condition is quite fine: a soft and velvety patina. Now $325.