Tsuba
Tsuba (鐔) served as a guard against cutting one's hands and more. The tsuba's function is described as protecting against cuts from a competitor. It is not unusual to discern sword cuts on a tsuba. But it was also useful to prevent one's hands from slipping forward onto the blade. Style and design evolved over centuries, leading to many and varied schools of tsuba makers.
Pre 1837 VR: item #1486102
Pre 1837 VR: item #1486099
Pre 1837 VR: item #1486098
Pre 1837 VR: item #1482248
Pre 1837 VR: item #1482142
Pre 1837 VR: item #1482139
Pre 1837 VR: item #1480572