Ko Kinko tsuba. Mumei. Circa: Early to Mid 15th century, Muromachi period. Yamagane plate with punched ground, Shakudo fukurin. The kogai-hitsu is elongated and reflects an earlier time. The patina is rich deep Yamagane with a heavy chocolate overtone. This is a small sized tsuba probably for an Uchi-katana. There are remnants of lacquer in many places. The fukurin is a single strip wrapped around the tsuba with the seam at the bottom clearly visible.

These types of tsuba were likely "mass produced" items to support the rank and file troops. This is in no way a suggestion that they are of any lower quality or intrinsic value, they were made during a time of heavy and prolonged fighting, leading up to the larger Onin conflict which bankrupt Japan.

Size is 6.25cm x 5.86cm. Thickness at the nakago-ana is 3mm and 4mm at the mimi.