T493.  Mercury (fire) gilt sukashi tsuba of shinchu (brass).  7.7 x 8.1 x .3 cm.  The nakago hitsu-ana is 1 x 2.9 cm.  I showed this to Robert Haynes at the recent show in San Francisco.  He told me he has seen such before and that possibly they were the possessions of Buddhist priests, who had money and could afford the gold.  The sukashi are a Manji and a pine tree; perhaps as early as Momoyama.  Excellent condition.  $395.