Shoei (active 17th century) An iron and copper tsuba Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century The iron plate with a dotemimi (raised rim created by carving away the plate), the surface with parallel striations, applied on one side with noshi (auspicious strips of dried abalone), in copper with shakudo for the paper ribbons tying the strips, and on the other side with a folding fan, the sticks and the seppadai of copper, signed Seishu Kameyama no ju Shoei saku (Made by Shoei of Kameyama in Ise Province) With a wood storage box and a Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu (Sword Fitting Especially Worthy of Preservation) certificate no. 2002126 dated January 16 2015, issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword) 3 1/8in (7.9cm) high 拍卖场通知 Please note that this tsuba was made by Hazama Shoei Masashige, the younger brother of Hazama Teiei. The work of Shoei is very rare.