Tsuba

Tsuba are the hand guard of the sword. The tsuba protects the users hands from sliding up onto the blade, as well as, a blade sliding down onto the users hand. Tsuba have a lot of different design elements to help convey the theme of expression. There is a wide variance of materials used, shapes and techniques deployed to create a piece. There are 3 main plate categories: sukashi (cut outs), iron & kinko (gold or other fancy metals). The following are some examples of the mantis design used on a tsuba.

Tsuba Examples

Mantis tsuba with broken wheels and vines. The 1st tsuba that started me on my mantis adventure. Aizu Shoami or Mito school. Mid-late Edo. Nadekaku (round square). 8.1 X 8.5 X .3 cm at seppa, .5 cm at mimi. Iron plate with gold and silver overlays and shakudo.

Mantis Sukashi Tsuba. 6.5 X 7 x .5 cm. 17th or 18th century. Possibly Bushu school. Tsuba has an applied rim (mimi).

Sukashi tsuba of a praying mantis and a wheel. Iron with slight gold inlay. Late Edo period circa 1800"s. Unsigned. Shoami (?) School. Top-to-Bottom - 3 3/16" X 3"

Tsuba of Mantis & Autumn plants. Mino School. Copper. 17th or 18th century. 6.5 X 6.9 X.4 cm. Has matching fuchi/kashira and kozuka.

Sukashi Iron tsuba. Akasaka school. Size 2 7/8". Age circa 1700 (possibly fifth or sixth generation master).

Kaga school. Shakudo plate with gold inlay. Size 6.7 X 7.0 X ( .5 cm @ nakaga-ana & 4.5 cm @ mimi) or 2 2 21/32" X 2 25/32" X 3/16" &/or 5/32". Green papers from N.B.T.H.K. dated March 25th, 1974 (showa48) to Kaga school.

Tsuba

Tsuba Examples

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