This square iron tsuba is of maru-gata form with softly rounded corners and an openwork design composed of four inward-facing scrolling elements arranged symmetrically around the central nakago-ana. The overall composition is balanced and restrained, with the negative space playing an important role in the visual rhythm of the piece. The plate surface is worked with a finely textured ground, showing shallow carved lines and subtle undulating patterns that give the iron a lively, tactile quality. Within the fields between the sukashi elements are shallow circular and banded motifs. The iron has developed a dark brown to black patina with areas of lighter oxidation and surface wear consistent with age and handling.
