As some here like older iron tsuba, I thought I would share some photos of a very old tsuba, a Kofun period Tsuba. This style of tsuba is known a Toran Kei (Toran meaning egg shaped) and are some of the earliest known works of Japanese tsubako. The eight trapezoidal sukashi cut into the plate are a typical design seen on this style of tsuba.   This tsuba was made from unfolded coarse, but relatively soft iron. The plate is very heavy and uniform in thickness, showing minimal deterioration.