Sword Guard

Tsuba are placed between the hilt and blade of a sword, forming an essential guard for the hand. Known to exist in Japan at least since the 8th century, they were plain unsigned metal until about the 16th century, when they became enriched artistic expressions usually made to the order of the individual warrior. The central opening, nakago ana, holds the tang of the blade and often has chisel marks or soft metal inserts as adjustments. It is surrounded by a plain surface, the seppa dai, on which the artist's signature may be found. On either side are the kodzuka and kogai openings, for a knife and a skewer respectively; when both are open the guard is intended for a wakazashi blade (less than two feet) and when one or both are plugged or absent the guard is probably intended for the longer katana blade.

Marion Stephan Collection. 'Iron' strictly speaking is a pure metal never encountered in antiquity: its alloys, whether natural or deliberate are really forms of steel. There is a long tradition in the literature, however, of referring to the material of a major number of tsuba as iron, which is adhered to in the present catalogue.

Oval-shaped sword guard with dark brown patina, four-lobed edge and raised rim. Triangular hole at centre with a three-lobed hole to one side, and an ovoid hole to the other side. One face has a low relief design of a prunus tree with blooms, and the reverse has a prunus tree with scattered bamboo leaves. Some gold overlay. The design includes an open area where the tree branches appear to pass through the hole. Nakago ana adjusted by chiselling and metal inserts; kodzuka and kogai open.