What an interesting post Gene!!
Its funny, I never realized how much is in a simple component like a scabbard mount like this, and how intriguing it is just to look at its motif.
While we seem to always be focused on the weapons comprehensively, and make cursory note of individual elements, there is seldom such key focus as this.
Perhaps that is why in the field of Japanese swords there are those who collect tsuba only. I have even heard of instances of collectors whose field is entirely on scabbards, which I must admit seems very unusual.
In studying Asian swords, and the development of sword forms westward, there was an entire study by Trousdale on the development of the scabbard slide, and examples discovered archaeologically.
I just wanted to note as an aside.
All best regards,
Jim
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