ROKUJURO

Looks like some kind of SANMAI TSUBA.

This one is in my family for almost 50 years:

Martin, looks like 21st century, and not made in Japan. Compare with real TSUBA!

Well, looking at this specific TSUBA with its crisp SUKASHI cut-outs, the almost 'virgin' NAKAGO-ANA, and the overall 'young' and almost unused appearance, I can understand the SHINSA assessment.

Jeff, there were no SAMURAI (or SAMURAI swords) in WWII.

Marcin, a TOGISHI is a blade sharpener/polisher.

TSUKA are generally items of wear and were replaced when necessary. It might not be impossible to find a fitting TSUKA, but chances are slim. It would not make sense to me buying 20 TSUKA just to find out that none really fits. In Japan, specialized craftsmen can adapt an "almost fitting" handle to an existing NAKAGO, but for security reasons this should not be done DIY by amateurs in case the sword was to be used (as in TAMESHIGIRI or IAIDO).

John, your TSUBA looks fine and authentic to me, but as 'TÔSHÔ' isn't a school but a style, it could have been made even in late EDO JIDAI. Looking only at photos and not at the 'real thing', I have the impression it might be a revival piece from SHINSHINTO era. Have you ever seen a new TSUBA? They are all patinated and never look 'new' in the sense of bare stainless metal. It is Japanese style to prefer a respectfully used (looking) item over a newly looking one. Patination is a kind of artificial corrosion, making an item look old while protecting it from deterioration.

Photo is upside-down. The length of the blade (as far as I can see just about 21 cm) is indeed that of a TANTO, however it is made in SHINOGI-ZUKURI style which is not common. It has nothing to do with military.

Just a guess: YOSHIMITSU? Mike, how long is the blade? It appears to have a SHINOGI so might not be a TANTO but a longer blade.

Not so unusual in my opinion. I think I saw it on HIGO TSUBA, and on TEIMEI (inverted INOME) as well: The surface on yours as well as the SHOAMI sample is not original to these TSUBA I think. There was a lot of corrosion eating away material. I am no expert on NOBUIE, but I don't see this design as typical for that school.

If it breaks after a blow, it will break there. So not recommended for battle use.

"ACHI" would not have been a possibility for a part of a swordsmith's name, in my opinion.

Probably a souvenir piece after WWII.

I think I can see some European/Portuguese influence in the design.

AH SO DESU KA!

It is old Babylonian, but as the images are upside-down, I can't read it.

My lady's TSUBA - second is a copy, not "THE" original.

The TSUBA (photo is upside-down) is possibly depicting broadleaf plantain (ÔBAKO / Plantago major). I like the innovative fixing of the KASHIRA with a slotted screw.

Oh no, not again!

Mike, to me, this TSUBA looks cast with the SEKI-GANE being probably the same material as the TSUBA itself. If I am correct, you may brush the TSUBA clean with a steel-wire brush and oil it, before you sell it on.

Of course there are TOSOGU artisans in Japan who make beautiful SEPPA on demand. And there are NAMIKAWA HEIBEI for those who want cheap ones. But you won't get nice ones for the price of those press-molded ones, obviously. It is a very small market, so no way to produce them in numbers unless you have to equip an army! Those leather shims are not authentic, they are just a short-term measure to prevent rattling.

Thank you Dale! I made a fast and rough calculation of the sizes, and in case a 300 mm TSUBA was indeed related to the blade length, 240 cm would already be enough (if an 80 mm TSUBA fitted a 650 mm blade).. But drawing/unsheathing such a blade in battle must have been a real hassle!

I would like to see a size fitting blade for that TSUBA!

In the meantime, NEVER touch the blade with your bare fingers!