Tsuba
Tsuba (鐔) served as a guard against cutting one's hands and more. The tsuba's function is described as protecting against cuts from a competitor. It is not unusual to discern sword cuts on a tsuba. But it was also useful to prevent one's hands from slipping forward onto the blade. Style and design evolved over centuries, leading to many and varied schools of tsuba makers.
Pre 1837 VR: item #1343243
Pre 1837 VR: item #1292816