This is a very old iron tsuba (sword guard). The well-forged, lustrous iron ground features a design of flowing water and pine and bamboo leaves, rendered in nikubori (carving in relief) with gold and silver inlay. It has a fine, blackish iron appearance and bears the signature "Shoami." I believe it is an item from a very old era. 7.2 cm × 6.9 cm × 3.6 mm