Antique Japanese iron tsuba for wakizashi or tanto with gold inlay
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1400-1700 AD
This antique Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is designed for a wakizashi or tanto short sword. It is fashioned from iron and features a delicate, inlaid wheat motif rendered in gold.
The guard is of medium size, measuring 62 mm by 58 mm, and possesses a weight of 75.53 grams. It contains a central nakago-ana (blade opening) measuring 29 mm by 8 mm, alongside two additional apertures: a kozuka-ana and a kogai-ana, both measuring 17 mm by 8 mm. These openings allowed for the insertion of auxiliary tools often carried with the sword, specifically the kozuka, a utility knife, and the kogai, a hair-pinning tool used by samurai.
The craftsmanship reflects traditional Japanese metalwork techniques, blending utilitarian iron construction with ornamental precious metal inlay. The object dates to the period between 1400 and 1700 AD, serving as a functional protective guard for the hand while balancing the weapon and demonstrating artistic value through its decorative surface treatment.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 75.53 g
- Material
- Iron, gold
- Dimensions
- 62 mm x 58 mm
Technical characteristics
- Kogai ana
- 17 mm x 8 mm
- Kozuka ana
- 17 mm x 8 mm
- Nakago ana
- 29 mm x 8 mm
Design
- Motif
- Wheat
- Decoration
- Gold inlay
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.