ROKUJURO

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!