Japanese Edo period iron tsuba with cherry blossom sukashi

This Japanese sword guard, or tsuba, is constructed from iron and features a circular nagamaru gata shape. Dating to the 19th century during the Edo period, the tsuba is ornamented with a pierced sukashi design depicting a cherry blossom, or sakura, positioned at the lower left.

At the upper right, the surface is embellished with an engraved circular motif containing a cross-hatched pattern that evokes yagasuri, the traditional arrow fletching design. The center of the iron disc contains the nakago-ana, the aperture designed for the sword tang, accompanied by two lateral hitsu-ana, which are secondary openings typically used to house sword accessories like a small knife (kozuka) or a hairpin (kogai).

With an approximate diameter of 6.5 centimeters, this piece represents a functional and decorative component of the Japanese sword, demonstrating the typical metallurgical and aesthetic characteristics of Edo-era craftsmanship, blending openwork carving with subtle engraving to create a balanced, minimalist composition.