Katana tsuba

The Tsuba of the Katana.

Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings tosogu [1] that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. They were externally featureless save for the needed mekugi-ana [3] to secure the nakago tang , though sometimes sayagaki blade information was also present. The need for specialized storage is because prolonged koshirae mounting harmed the blade, owing to factors such as the lacquered wood retaining moisture and encouraging corrosion. Such mountings are not intended for actual combat, as the lack of a tsuba guard and proper handle wrappings were deleterious; as such they would likely never make their way onto a battlefield. However, there have been loosely similar "hidden" mountings, such as the shikomizue. Also, many blades dating back to earlier Japanese history are today sold in such a format, along with modern-day reproductions; while most are purely decorative replicas, a few have functional blades.

Katana tsuba

We Use Cookies Our website uses cookies for some features to work including currencies, shopping cart, sign in, sorting and check out systems. The Tsuba is the Katana's guard designed to protect the wielders hand during a sword fight as well as prevent the swordsman's hands from accidentally slipping forward onto the blade. The tsuba also contributed to the swords performance by being weighted properly to counter-balance the blade. During the Muromachi and Momoyama periods between and Japan's clans and families were in a nearly constant state of war. The tsuba at this time were normally simple in design and made from strong metals for the purpose of heavy warfare. The rise of the Edo period brought peace in Japan so tsuba makers could create more ornate decorative designs utilizing softer metals like gold, silver and brass in their designs. In this period whole dynasties of craftsmen would dedicate their lives to only making tsuba which would become collectors items and heirlooms passed down by generations. The samurai would normally have at least two sets of furniture for their blade. A decorative artistic themed set which they could dress their sword with in times of peace and a second set of heavy battle fittings for times of war. These are some examples photo's of many different Tsuba found on the Japanese katana in our store.

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Tsuba is a kind of Japanese sword mounting. It was initially equipped with a Japanese sword for practical reasons. However, Tsuba attached importance to its decorativeness. It had been developed as an essential sword outfit that combines utility and beauty since the Edo period. Western swords also have guards, but especially since modern times, many of them are connected with handles; therefore, they look different, compared to Japanese handguards, Tsuba. People expected that Tsuba fulfills two roles: practicality to attack enemies and to protect users. In each area, Tsuba had been enhanced its artistry through the efforts and ingenuity of numerous Tsuba artisans.

When you look at a katana , you'll see a circular or triangular plate right where the handle meets the blade. This circular or triangular piece is called the tsuba. The tsuba is the handguard for the katana. It protects the wielder's hands from slipping onto the blade and harming themselves. It is therefore a crucial component of the sword. Tsuba, however, also evolved into an ornament over time. You can see tsubas with intricate designs made from precious metals like gold. In fact, some designs were so elaborate that they became unusable in battle.

Katana tsuba

Tsuba artisans soon produced ornamental styles, which became family heirlooms. Most of these designs reflect the mythology, legends, customs, religion, and artistic side of Japan. Knowing the history and distinctive characteristics of these sword guards may inspire you to build your collection or personalize your Japanese sword for training. Without it, the sword loses much of its efficiency. A Japanese tsuba must be crafted from high-quality materials with good design and craftsmanship. Originally, tsuba makers created handguards by welding together steels of different hardness , then twisting and deforming them in various ways. The material should have the strength to withstand impact, and the most commonly used alloys are shakudo and shibuichi. A term that literally means black gold, the shakudo is a copper alloy that contains small amounts of gold, at least 4 percent.

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These cookies do not store any personal information. Early Japanese tsuba designs were relatively plain and only became more decorative later. Eventually, they developed the fundamental methods and techniques of working metals and inspired several decorative sword guards done by later tsuba artisans. The thickness of the rim may vary, and some may feature subtle patterns inlaid in gold. The Japanese tsuba is an artwork on its own. Peculiarity of a tsuba There are several peculiarities of the tsuba, each one having a specific function: The Nagako-Ana: The largest and most important gap visible on the tsuba, more or less triangular in shape, it is used to pass the blade of the saber. Tsuka constructed as a single piece and does not have individual separate fuchi , kashira , and menuki. The Japanese blades are removable from the rest of the sword. Our customer service will help you find your ideal Tsuba you will cherish for generations. It had been developed as an essential sword outfit that combines utility and beauty since the Edo period. Wikimedia Commons. Their designs depicted figures full of individuality and highlighted the scenes from the civil wars. You can enlarge all the photos to see the detail of the item. The school portrayed pictorial subjects in less conventional ways than the Goto.

Photo Credit: A samurai and his horse bound up the bank of a river to come to grips with the enemy. Precious sword in hand, the tsuba, or hand guard, is clearly visible. For hundreds of years great artistry was worked into the tsuba.

Some tsubas being signed it becomes "easy" to retrace the history or rather that of the postman. Published On: June 9, In a duel, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the tsuba and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Mid-Edo period. Early Japanese tsuba designs were relatively plain and only became more decorative later. During the Edo period, many formalized rules were put into place: in times of war the hilt should be presented to the right allowing the sword to be readily unsheathed. Tsuba: Handguard. Animal Design. The tang of the sword goes into the tsuka through the opening in the fuchi. Tsuba artisans created sword guards using precious metals, like silver and gold, and colored stones. Non-necessary Non-necessary. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.