Antique Japanese Samurai Iron Tsuba Sword Hilt Openwork Signed

This is an antique Japanese Edo period (c.1596 - 1868) tsuba (handguard) for a Katana or Wakazashi. This tsuba is made with typical forged steel and is in the shape of a marugata and has what appears to be pine limb shaped openwork as well as engraved tiny x shaped fower patterns. Graved with the sword smiths mei is engraved near the nakakgo hitsu Ana. This tsuba shows considerable wear from lots of use. The wear has smoothed down the whole tsuba. There are tagane ato around the nakago indicating it was most certainly affixed to a sword. 

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