Q816. Iron tsuba signed Masahide Saku. 7.4 x 8 x .4 cm. The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.8 cm. On the front a Ho Bird is in flight at top, in clouds and above pines. On the back we get five pines and clouds. The pines and bird are accented with gold inlay. There are boar’s eye sukashi at each of the mokko-gata corners.

The carving is exquisite and condition is pristine. A Hozon paper form the NBTHK, dated 2014, speaks to the work and signature. $995.