Tsuba with crest-like decoration

Tsuba with crest-like decoration is held by Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe (Germany). Description supplied by the holding institution: The circular sword guard, a so-called "tsuba", belongs to the "sukashi-tsuba" type with its openwork overall form. It is decorated with a crest-like design of overlapping rhombuses and small spokes. Stylistically, the design of this tsuba is attributed to the "Owari" school. "Tsuba" are Japanese sword guards made of iron, copper, or copper alloys that sit between the hilt and the blade of a sword. In the center of the guard is an opening for the tang of the sword. Two additional openings are provided for a small utility knife ("kozuka") and a hair-styling skewer ("kôgai"). Tsuba protected the hand against the opponent's sword and from the risk of slipping onto one's own blade when thrusting. In Japan, tsuba possessed status symbol value. They embodied the aesthetic principles and social standing of the owner. Literature: Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, Ellwangen… The collection record gives measurements height: 7.3 cm, width: 7.15 cm, depth: 0.55 cm. Published through Europeana; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.