T283.  Iron sukashi tsuba: Namban.  8.4 x 9.2 x .5 cm.  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.7 cm.  A dragon and Ho bird are worked in gold nunome, the tendril sukashi is undercut and crossing over in places, and there are subtle tekkotsu on the rim.  This is a very impressive example of Namban.

Comes with a box with a pillow of a different color and 2 hakogake.  That on the inside of the lid is by Dr. Sato and says, “Nadekaku gata, tetsu ji, maru sukashi, mumei Namban (slightly unround shape, iron, round sukashi, unsigned Namban)” followed by a date (Showa something) and Dr. sato’s signature.  I don’t know who did the hakogake on the top of the lid but it says basicly the same as the inside.  Dr. Sato could easily have replaced the box if he didn’t think the hakogake was worth saving; maybe it is significant.

Condition is excellent; this one is special.  $950.