Korean Korea sword / sabre

[Copycat]

Hello Jim,

The shape of the tsuba might represent the hexagram of I Ching and the holes the dots of Yin Yang.

I Ching or Yeok Gyeong (역경) had great influence in Korean history. The symbols on the flags of Korea and Joseon signifies it's importance.

Edit:
The shape could indeed be the Eight Trigrams of I ching.