Iron Japanese Sword Guard Tsuba
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1400-1750 AD
Large tsuba, designed for katana sword. Size: 70 mm x 70 mm; Nakago-hitsu (opening for the blade): 25.5 mm x 7.5 mm; Kozuka-hitsu/Kozuka-ana (hole for the knife): 18 mm x 9 mm; Sekigane: remnants of protective soft metal around nakago-hitsu (proof of authenticity). Weight: 105.12 g; Condition: Very good, considering the age. Was used for the real katana sword. Age: circa 1400-1750 AD.
A soft metal such as copper is fitted into the inside of the top and bottom of the Nakago-Hitsu. Sekigane is used to attach the Tsuba to the blade without looseness. So that Sekigane has a crucial role as a cushioning material. Especially an iron Tsuba, since it is the same iron material as the sword, it was essential to use a different metal material to prevent damaging the blade.
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
- Material (listing wording)
- iron
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 70 mm x 70 mm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 205068693
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.