Antique Japanese 17th Century Samurai Signed Tsuba Sword Hilt Openwork Lotis Leaves Gold Inlay

This is an antique Japanese early Edo period (c.1596 - 1700) tsuba (handguard) for a samurai Wakazashi sword. This tsuba is made with typical forged steel and is in the shape of a marugata and has lotus leaves engraved around openwork. Engraved with the sword smiths mei near the nakakgo hitsu ana. This tsuba shows some wear from use. The wear has smoothed down the whole tsuba and removed most of the gold and other metal inlay. There are no tagane ato around the nakago nor sekigane it was most likely affixed to a short sword. 

A beautiful example of samurai craftsmanship. It measures about 2.5" (7.5 cm) in diameter by 1/4" (.4cm) thick. Having been lovingly and carefully displayed by 3 generations of collectors, it remains in fine condition.