Antique Japanese iron tsuba sword guard
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1400-1700 AD
This antique Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is crafted from iron and designed for use with a katana or wakizashi sword. Measuring 71 mm by 66 mm, the piece features a central nakago-ana (blade opening) measuring 26 mm by 8 mm, alongside two additional apertures: a kozuka-ana for a small knife and a kogai-ana for a hair-pin, each measuring 17 mm by 10 mm.
A notable technical feature is the remnant of sekigane, a protective soft metal insert fitted into the top and bottom of the nakago-ana to ensure a secure, non-damaging fit between the tsuba and the sword blade. The guard is signed by a master with a single character consisting of two parallel lines connected by a perpendicular line. Weighing 107.15 grams, this genuine antique iron guard reflects traditional craftsmanship from the period between 1400 and 1700 AD.
The tsuba served as both a practical component for sword mounting and a highly valued item of artistic expression in samurai culture.
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
- 107.15 g
- Material
- iron
- Dimensions
- 71 mm x 66 mm
Technical characteristics
- Feature
- sekigane soft metal inserts
- Kogai ana
- 17 mm x 10 mm
- Kozuka ana
- 17 mm x 10 mm
- Nakago ana
- 26 mm x 8 mm
Design
- Signature
- single character consisting of two parallel lines connected by a perpendicular line
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.