Get antique Tsubas at a special offer price!
Description
This item is a set of 5 antique Tsubas. Each Tsuba is stored in a wooden box.
T-26: Circle-shaped iron Tsuba that has a Kozuka hole. The openwork engraves an anchor. The Anchor pattern has been used for a family crest, especially on the coast of the Seto Island Sea. During the Warring States period, it is said Samurai families who were engaged in battles in the sea loved this design and used it to their family crests.
The Myochin school has its origin from the Kamakura Period, and it lasted until the late Edo Period. Myochin typically used iron and did not use other materials such as copper, either brass. They imported Nanban iron from India, China, or Europe. Myochin is well-known as the top class of iron metalworkers. This Tsuba is recognized by The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK.
T-42: Circle-shaped iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes. The edge of this Tsuba is engraved with a rope design. The openwork engraves six paddles. This Tsuba has beautiful harmony thanks to its symmetry design. Small dots that were inlaid with copper describe drops of water.
T-76: Circle-shaped iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes. The openwork engraves three Japanese wisterias and a waterwheel. Japanese wisterias look like the ears of rice. For this reason, this flower was prized for the prayer for a good crop of rice. Also, it was believed that this flower grants the wish for immortality. The waterwheel pattern was often used in the Edo period for Kosode (a kind of traditional Japanese costume).
T-181: Circle-shaped iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes. This Tsuba is designed with the Kai Dukushi (貝尽くし) pattern; it is a combination of various seashells. It has often been designed with a seaside scene or wave pattern. Bivalves, especially clams, these shells cannot be combined with any other clam’s shell; therefore, its design represents happy marriage.
The Shoami school worked as a smith for the Ashikaga Shogunate family. Shogun means the top of Samurai (Japanese soldier), who ruled entire Japan. Mainly, they have two styles. The first pattern is circle-shaped iron Tsuba with openwork, and another type is with gold or silver inlaying. They were typically good at “Nunome Zougan”; it is a kind of inlay technique. Stripes, similar to textile design, are put on the metal and gold or silver leaf cut into these dents.
T-325: Oval-shaped Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes. This Tsuba is made from Shakudou (赤銅), an alloy of copper and gold. The surface of this Tsuba is decorated with the Nanako-Ji technique. The ground was hit by the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, chisel used for this technique). It makes delicate fish egg-shaped protrusions on the entire surface of the Tsuba. It shows us the maker’s expert skill.
This Tsuba depicts a scene of daily life in the past at a waterside. Waterfowls and a fisherman are engraved. He brings a rod and a basket. It seems he is looking for a position for fishing.
According to the signature, this Tsuba’s maker is Goto Mitsutaka (後藤光孝), who is the 13th head of the Goto family. He is known as Enjo (延乗), and he is Mitsumasa (光理, the 12th head of the Goto family)’s, son. He was born in 1722 and passed away in 1784 when he was 63 years old. The first Goto family was Goto Yujo (後藤祐乗), he worked for Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利義政, the 8th Shogun of the Muromachi government). For generations, the Goto family has created high-quality metalworks in a sophisticated style that expresses the Samurai family’s formality.
Since each of them has different designs, you could collect a variety of Tsuba at once. We hope that this affordable item will be a part of your great collection.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
Signature | Age | Material | Size | Nakagoana | Weight | |
T-26 | NO SIGNED | early Edo period (1603-1680) |
Iron | 7.8cm × 7.6cm × 0.8cm | 2.8cm × 0.8cm | 200g |
T-42 | 八代 甚吾 (Hachidai Jingo) |
late Edo period (1781-1867) to Meiji period | Iron | 9.7cm × 9.7cm × 0.5cm | 3.0cm × 0.8cm | 201g |
T-76 | NO SIGNED | Edo period, Bakumatsu (1853-1868) | Iron | 7.7cm × 7.7cm × 0.6cm | 2.5cm × 0.8cm | 100g |
T-181 | 正阿弥 (Shoami) |
Edo period | Iron | 8.0cm × 8.0cm × 0.45cm | 2.8cm × 0.7cm | 168g |
T-325 | 武州□品川 後藤光孝 (花押) (Bushu □ Shinagawa Goto Mitsutaka) (his stylized signature) |
middle of Edo period (1722-1784) | Shakudou | 7.6cm × 7.2cm × 0.3cm | 2.8cm × 0.8cm | 152g |
What is Tsuba?
Tsuba is the hand-guard of the Japanese sword. High-class Samurai wore his katana sword with its beautiful sword mountings such as Tsuba. Tsuba’s front design tends to be more decorative as this part was often seen by other Samurais when he was walking on the streets.
Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai?
The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai.
Authentication Paper:NBTHK Hozon Certificate
NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the Tsuba (T-26) on Apr 23th in the 27th year of Heisei (2015). They appraised it as Hozon Tousougu, the Tsuba worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Payment method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, EUR or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
【Shipping duration】
We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order. We will use DHL instead for those who ordered from Canada or Australia as EMS temporarily stops shipping to these countries due to COVID-19. We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by either EMS or DHL (Australia, Canada only). If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.
We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.
*Please keep in mind that due to the spread of COVID-19, there might be possible delays in delivery. If you like to make sure if EMS shipping is available to your country, please contact us.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision.
It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of Tsuba and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
【How to appreciate Tsuba】
Although Tsuba is a small component of Japanese sword mountings, we would say it is one of the most conspicuous parts. Also, unlike the blade itself, Tsuba has a low risk of handling. Furthermore, it does not require a large space for storage. Thus, Tsuba is relatively easy to collect. Here we would like to propose a few ways to enrich your Tsuba experience after purchasing your favorite Tsuba.
-Inspection
Inspect and feel the artistry of Tsuba. You will be amazed by the maker’s work quality to make it look a great work.
-Find the right place to display
Tsuba would look great when displayed in the best way. Find the best place in your house, your office, or anywhere you like, so that Tsuba would be appreciated as much as you like.
※These photos are the example of Tsuba stand and how to place the Tsuba.
-Learn the details
Tsuba reflects quite a lot of detailed features of its maker. Sometimes you can find the maker’s signature on Tsuba. Tsuba makers tried adding elaborate artistry to Tsuba. Many techniques were invented to achieve this goal, such as openworks, engravings, and gold/silver inlays. There were many schools that trained Tsuba creators, and each of them has different characteristics. You would enjoy knowing these differences and find your beloved style.
-Arrange in modern style
We want to propose to you the way that you could enjoy the Tsuba as jewelry. By stringing a cord into the center hole of the Tsuba, it could be worn as a necklace. This modern way would show you a new charm of Tsuba. Here are the examples of neckless.
【Give the Tsuba as a special gift】
Are you looking for a special gift for a person who is interested in Japanese culture? We recommend you to give an antique Tsuba as a present for your significant other. Tsuba is an integral part of the Samurai sword, which was once a primary weapon for Samurai. Each Tsuba is a unique item and has a different design. We hope it would be a memorable gift. Now it is time for you to share the beauty of a piece of Samurai history with your family members or friends, for instance. Also, gift wrapping is available for Tsuba; it is for free. Here is an example of wrapping. For more information, please feel free to contact us. It is always our pleasure to serve you.
Would you like see some more Tsuba for sale? Please check the link below. We hope you can find your favorite Tsuba.
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product-category/decorations/tsuba/