Kozuka with seven insects (fly, grasshopper, bee, butterfly, dragonfly, firefly, and cricket) and grass with dewdrops motif.

Shakudō, flush gold inlay (hira-zōgan).

95.2 (H) x 13.7 mm (W).

Mid Edo period (Late 17th – early 18th century, Genroku era 1688-1703).

Unsigned. Kaga school.

A look-a-like kozuka (with five insects) is illustrated at Japanese Sword Fittings. A descriptive catalogue of the Collection of G.H. Naunton, Esq., completed and illustrated by Henri L. Joly, – 1912 on plate XXIX, №691 [LIB-1389 in this Collection] with the following description at page 54: “Shakudō, inlaid with butterfly, dragon-fly, grasshopper, locust and another insect, gold.”

See also tsuba TSU-0211 in this collection: