T191.  Namban tsuba with added plate.  7.5 x 7.6 x .4 cm.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .9 x 2.5 cm.  I found this tsuba at the show in Chicago; very interesting.  I showed it to a couple of the old guys and the concensus is that the iron half is Chinese and shaped like this:  l_______________________l  At some point the tsuba was brought to Japan and the brass or bronze plate was added into the recess.

The iron half has traces of gold nunome.  The bronze is very nicely carved with a dragon and is covered in tiny hammer work.  The kotsuka hitsu-ana is plugged with silver lined gold and the Kogai ana (noticeably smaller) is plugged with shakudo.  First time ever I’ve seen a tsuba like this.

Condition is excellent.  $400.