Tsuba: Handguard

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: The Dragonfly and Chrysanthemums Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: 四分一(Shibuichi, mixture of silver and copper) A Shibuichi Tsuba Mokkou shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. A dragonfly and Chrysanthemums are engraved by “Katagiri Bori” technique on the front, and Japanese apricot is engraved on its back side. This technique makes lines with smooth strokes of one’s brush. Shibuichi contains 25% silver, therefore this Tsuba has silvery gray color. Lots of samurai loved dragonfly decorations because it’s believed as winning insect. Dragonfly is called “Kachimushi” in Japanese, “Kachi” means winning and “Mushi” means insect. Also, it moves only forward not backward. It gave brave…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: The Moon, Plovers and Waves Signature:NO SIGNED Age:late EDO period, Bakumatsu(1853-1868) Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba sloping four corners shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. The moon, plovers and waves are inlayed with silver. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 8.8cm×8.5cm 0.4cm 2.9cm×0.8cm 180g   T000100  

Title: Heianjo-style, Inome-Sukashi Signature:NO SIGNED Age:MUROMACHI period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba sloping four leaves of hollyhock shape(Aoi-Gata) with a KODUKA hole. This Tsuba might be used for TACHI(a type of sword longer than Uchigatana). There are four openworks which looks like heart mark, it’s called “Inome” in Japanese, it means boar’s eye.  Size Thichness Nakagoana Weight 7.7cm×7.4cm 0.3cm 2.8cm×0.8cm 88g   T000102

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Heianjo-style, Arabesque Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba sloping four corners shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Some leaves and arabesque design are inlaid with brass on both sides. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.8cm×7.5cm 0.4cm 3.0cm×0.8cm 128g   T000107  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Shoami-style, Triangle Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba circle shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. A big triangle, three rhombuses and six wild gooses are engraved by openwork. Each rhombuse is put between two wild gooses. Wild goose is a migratory bird which represents fall.  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.5cm×7.3cm 0.5cm 2.7cm×0.7cm 102g   T000108  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: One Thousand Cranes Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba circle shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Crane is one of the good-luck tarismans because it’s a symbol of the longevity. Or, a thousand paper cranes is often used in praying for recovery from sickness in Japan.  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 8.0cm×7.8cm 0.4cm 2.4cm×0.6cm 130g   T000109  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Fan Shape Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba circle shape. These two openworks represent fans. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 8.0cm×8.0cm 0.4cm 3.2cm×0.8cm 104g   T000110  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kanaie-style, An Elderly Person Signature:金家(Kanaie) Age:early EDO period(1603-1680) Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba oval shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. An elderly man taking a amall ship is passing a river, and there is an animal which could be a dog looks like trying to hand something to him. Gold inlay is used effectively. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.6cm×7.0cm 0.35cm 2.7cm×0.8cm 110g   T000111  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Ishiguro-style, Mountain Path Signature:野田政明(Noda Masaaki) Age:EDO period, Tenpo era(1831-1845) Material: 四分一(Shibuichi, mixture of silver and copper) A Shibuichi Tsuba oval shape with a KODUKA hole. Shibuichi contains 25% silver, therefore it makes silverly grey color. Its spiral pattern represents the mountain path. The creator Masaaki Noda was a pupil of Masatsune Ishiguro(1760-1828) who did well in the late Edo period(1781-1867). Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 6.5cm×5.6cm 0.25cm 2.5cm×0.6cm 88g   T000112  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kanzan Jitoku Signature:岡田政知(Okada Masatomo) Age:late EDO period(1781-1867) Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba irregular shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. It’s a popular design which is called “Kanzan Jittoku Zu” in Japanese. Kanzan and Jittoku were monks in China in Tou period(around 7th century). There are lots of folklores or traditions about their eccentrc behavior. Usually, Kanzan has abook and Jittoku has a broom when they’re used as a decoration. However, we’re not sure if they’re actual people or not. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.6cm×7.2cm 0.2cm 2.8cm×0.8cm 124g   T000113  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Hikone-style, One Day Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba oval shape with gold inlay. A man riding his horse stays on the bridge and another man is sitting on the bough. It’s said that this scene represents a story from a Chinese legend. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.4cm×6.9cm 0.4cm 2.6cm×0.8cm 98g   T000114  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Yamakichi-style, Sickles Signature:山吉兵(Yamakichibei) Age:early EDO period(1603-1680) Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba oval shape with a KODUKA hole. Two sickles are engraved by openwork. Many fine lines are radially engraved on both sides, it represents back lights of Amitabha Tathagata, this technique is called “Amida Yasuri” in Japanese. Yamakichi is famous for Tsuba creator in Owari(Aichi Pref.), who worked for Oda family.  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.3cm×6.8cm 0.2cm 3.0cm×0.8cm 86g   T000115  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kinai-style, Seashells Signature:記内(Kinai) Age:EDO period Material: Copper(Shakudou) A copper(shakudou) Tsuba irregular shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Variety of seashells are engraved by openwork and inlaid with gold and silver. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 6.8cm×6.6cm 0.3cm 2.5cm×0.7cm 80g   T000116  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Nara-style, Japanese Apricot and snow crystals Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Brass A brass Tsuba oval shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. This Tsuba describes a beautiful nature scene at the end of winter. The flowering of plum blossoms announces the arrival of spring. It’s engraved by piling(Takabori thechnique), and inlaid with gold, silver and copper(Shakudou).  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.0cm×6.6cm 0.4cm 2.7cm×0.7cm 136g   T000117  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Heianjo-style, Crimson Glory Vines Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba circle shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Several crimson glory vines and its ivy, leaves are inlaid with brass. Small dots describes its fruit. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.7cm×7.7cm 0.3cm 2.7cm×0.7cm 118g   T000121  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Shoami-style, Autumn Plants Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba circle shape with a KODUKA hole. Some autumn plants such as Japanese pampas grasses are engraved and inlaid with gold. Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 8.1cm×7.8cm 0.3cm 2.8cm×0.8cm 160g   T000122  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Sailing Ships Signature:八道友清(Hachidou Tomokiyo) Age:EDO period, Genroku era(1688-1704) Material: Iron An Iron Tsuba sloping oval shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Some sailing ships and waves are engraved by Takabori technique.  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.8cm×7.4cm 0.4cm 2.7cm×0.9cm 124g   T000124  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Dragonflies Signature:NO SIGNED Age:EDO period Material: Copper A copper Tsuba sloping four corners shape with KODUKA and KOUGAI holes. Its edge is covered with gold, this type of decoration is called “Hukurin” in Japanese. Some Japanese pampas grass and autumn insects are engraved and inlaid with gold, silver or copper(Shakudou). Drogonfly is called “Kachimushi” in Japanese, “Kachi” means the winning, “Mushi” means the insect. So dragonfly was believed as the winning insect. And it moves only forward, not backward, therefore lots of Samurais loved this insect.  Size Thickness Nakagoana Weight 7.2cm×7.0cm 0.4cm 2.8cm×0.8cm 148g   T000133  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Age: Edo Period Tsuba is the hand-guard of the Japanese sword. High-class Samurai wore his katana sword with its beautiful sword mountings such as Tsuba. The front design of Tsuba tends to be more decorative as this part was often seen by other Samurais when he was walking on the streets.