Antique Japanese tsuba (hand guard for samurai katana) decorated with a monkey peeking though the bamboo rails of a cage or gate. Often occurring in Japanese folk tales, the monkey generally symbolizes a trickster. Since tsuba were often a warrior's source of personal expression, it is likely this monkey held specific significance to the blade's owner. Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 3" high x 2 7/8" wide x 1/8" thick (1/4" thick including monkey).