Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Brown metal sword guard with rounded rectangular shape and curved top. The guard features a dark brown patina with rust-colored spots. Two oval-shaped cutouts are present, one vertically oriented and centered, the other horizontally oriented near the top edge. A figure in a traditional Japanese outfit and headdress is depicted on the right side, appearing to run or jump with left arm raised and right arm holding a large drum. On the top left, another figure is shown climbing or hanging from a rope or vine with yellow and orange threads. The background of the image is plain light gray. This is a sword guard, or tsuba, by an unknown artist.