Antique decorative tsuba. Made of bronze. Decorated with a dragon image. There is an author's signature. Japan, 20th century.

Tsuba is a part of the frame of a Japanese blade. The tsuba was intended to protect the samurai's hand during battle; it also prevented the hand from slipping onto the blade and slightly balanced the blade. These days, the tsuba is a collector's item. In Japan, the craft of making tsuba was passed down from generation to generation.