Boxed Antique Japanese Sword Tsuba with Dragons

The iron tsuba is a “sukashi”, or openwork, design with two dragons on the inner perimeter.The tsuba is approximately 2-3/4 inches by 3 inches in size and it exhibits a fine old patina with excellent detail. The tsuba is contained within a “tomobako”, a traditional Japanese wooden storage box for artworks or fine ceramics.The box is approximately 4-1/2 inches by 4-3/4 inches. The lid of the box bears handwritten kanji which is quite stylized and not easily discernible, but it contains the words “Overall design” and “Wind and Sky”. There is also a stamped maker’s seal on the lid, with a very small and indistinct circular red seal on the side of the box. The interior of the lid also has three handwritten kanji characters. The interior of the box is fitted to hold the tsuba in place. Overall excellent condition.