Antique Japanese tsuba (sword guard), Edo period, 18th century (approx.). Made of iron with partial gold inlay (nunome-zogan). One side depicts a bird by the water, its legs highlighted in gold, with golden dots below suggesting rippling water. The reverse shows engraved landscape lines with scattered gold inlays.
Round shape (maru-gata) with two hitsu-ana. Likely Kyoto-Shoami school (attribution tentative). Good condition with preserved patina, some loss of gilding.