T459.  Fine iron tsuba signed Myochin Munesada Saku.  7.5 x 8 x .6 cm at the riased rim (.4 cm on the plate).  The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.8 cm.  This is an unflasshy tsuba that could easily be overlooked; it deserves our attention.  Carvings of leaves (aoi, I believe) and vines adorn the plate but the treatment of the rim makes this special; there is definite evidence of folding to be seen.  Some evidence of folding is seen on the plate also, mostly at the top and bottom.  I have been told that creating this type of plate takes great skill.  This tsuba comes with a paper dated 2012 from the NTHK.

The Myochin were a school of armorers who had a sideline in tsuba production.  Condition is excellent.. $450.