Antique Japanese Samurai Used Iron Tsuba Sword Hilt Openwork Moths and gold inlay Inkbox This is a fine professional

This is a fine professional grade Nakiri Hocho sushi chef's knife from the mid to late 20th century

It is printed on acid free archival fine-art paper with highly fade resistant pigments inks

It is made of Hida Shunkei lacquer ware and hand crafted in Gifu prefecture in the early

Markings:  appear to be "助道" and "サ"

Antique Japanese Samurai Used Iron Tsuba Sword Hilt Openwork Moths and gold inlay Inkbox This is a fine professionalThis 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 mokogata and has alternating front and back facing moths 6 total with openwork in between. each moth is deeply and meticulously engraved. The outer rim in inlaid with gold in what looks to be the Enshu clan mon. This tsuba shows wear from lots of use. The wear has smoothed down the