Circa 1700 / 1800 's......weighs approx 128 Grams .........................A JAPANESE ANTIQUE TSUBA from the AWA SHOAMI SCHOOL of TSUBA MAKERS that would have fitted on a Japanese sword to protect the hand from SWORD CUTS and balance the sword, also decorative for status and to please the owner !!!. . .........The TSUBA is copper, with a SHAKUDO ( alloy of copper + gold ) crab, on a gilt folded bamboo leaf !!!..............Crabs denote strength, and bamboo with strength and resilience, bending without breaking, favoured qualities of the Samurai Warriors !!!................The background is profusely  textured with an ISHIME ground, fine chisel indentations to represent natural stone surface .......................... . Some expected wear with age, tiny rim dents !!!..........................It measures approx  75mm high by 68mm wide........ 4mm thick,  ( the blade aperture is approx 28mm high by max 8mm wide ) ........ ........Should  NEVER be polished bright, the old colour is a very important feature, and part of the value of the TSUBA...( So NEVER POLISH......only a light waxing perhaps )........... It comes complete in a wooden box...........Super piece !!!.............Please see my other items !