Sword guard with design of dragons and cloud

This sword guard is carved out of copper-gold alloy in the shape of a flowering quince. The surface has a fish-egg pattern, on which dragons with clouds are depicted in high-relief carving and application of gold.
It also bears an inscription of Goto Mitsuharu with kao (stylized signature). The Goto family was the most authoritative metalworkers. They mainly made kozuka (small knife), kogai (metal rod) and menuki (hilt ornaments). Consequently, the sword guard created by the member of the family is scarce.