Iron tsuba of round form, on both sides decorated in low relief (kebori) with a dragon, eyes inlaid in brass.

NBTHK: Hozon, № 4011013.

Kamakura-bori type of tsuba.

Med-Muromachi period, c. 1450.

Diameter: 90 mm; Thickness (centre): 3.3 cm, Thickness (rim): 2.4 cm

Reference: Japanese Swords and Sword Fittings from the Collection of Dr Walter Ames Compton (Part I). — NY: Christie’s, 1992, p. 10, №2. Obviously, Compton’s tsuba has an altered nakago-ana and placed on the photo upside down. Compton’s tsuba has a raised mimi, while mine does not.

Two other examples of the same design may be found at: (1) Christie, Manson & Woods auction sales “Kotetsu”, 1980, page 12, №10 and (2) Professor A. Z. Freeman and the Phyllis Sharpe Memorial collections №36, pp. 18-19. Both have raised mimi, the latter classified as Katchushi tsuba.

More about Kamakura-bori tsuba here.