Japanese Katana Guard

Hand guard (Tsuba) of the classic Japanese sword (Katana). Made of iron, the guard weighs around 130 grams. The central hole is shaped so that the peculiar blade can pass through it. For decoration, it is all perforated and presents a multitude of representations: villages behind mountains, trees, male figures, as well as a traditional Japanese house (Minka) on the balcony of which two human figures can be seen. Part of the decoration has detailed gold-plating.