Spartancrest

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156674455343

Definitely Northern Territory Aboriginal tsuba motif of the "Wandjina" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wandjina

There are a few more Tanuki in the Chōsen Gafu book - One looks like a Kashira design you will have to look out for? https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24642 I also did a cleaned up copy of the book 154 pages of tosogu designs. https://www.amazon.com.au/Album-Designs-Metal-Carving-Chōsen/dp/1034179020 - Amazon and others want way too much, I can get soft cover copies for around $40

Two museums with very similar tsuba of Yoshitsune & Benkei at Gojo Bridge, both signed Kaneie - Are they real Kaneie or copies? Do we know if Kaneie made daisho? [these two are almost the same size]

Even if it is a cast, that is not a bad price - a unique cast? well it would be a bargain considering the effort in making it. [Confidentially I rather like it as well ]

Okan, yours ? https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q1169771894 or https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1169771894 Something similar on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/285348435808

What is the going rate for scrap iron these days? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/356728135536 $64 US Seems a little bit steep to me.

Just listed on Jauce https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1179272417 and Buyee https://buyee.jp/item/jdirectitems/auction/e1179272417 Out of my price range!

Not the same design but a similar discussion back in 2010 - I have not yet found another with the same design which is unusual if indeed it does turn out to be cast. Nothing to stop "one off" cast pieces being made, it would make a lot of sense and help to hide them. Bruno's example stands out to me because of the rectangular nakago-ana a feature of Chinese guards? See also https://colbase.nich.go.jp/collection_items/tnm/F-19668?locale=en a signed curved bamboo example like in the linked thread.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/s1179046309 Was the design too heavy? Crazy seppa-dai - my vote is cast, those holes have rounded edges.

Kurt, you have plenty of room for more! I looked in my tansu and swear they have multiplied by themselves - is 320 too many? [I am glad I don't live on a boat I doubt it would still float! - poet and should be . . . ashamed]

A lock, a cage - strong box. What can it be? Interested in opinions.

Even some "rustic" - and rusty tsuba can have silver inserts. https://www.jauce.com/auction/v1178919843 As Justyn has asked - are they inserts or is the tsuba made up of a three layers? [Beautiful piece by the way ]

complicated three piece puzzle for toddler?