A kyo-shoami iron tsuba (sword guard)

Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century
Four-lobed cruciform with hammered-up rim, the well-patinated iron surface overlaid in gold and silver with a dragon and clouds and pierced with a waisted gourd shape forming the udenuki-ana, unsigned; with wood tomobako storage box titled Kyo Shoami unryu (Kyo Shoami dragons and clouds) and inscribed on the reverse of the lid with an attestation by Torigoe Kazutaro dated September 1959. 8.7cm (3 3/8in). (2).