Two Edo period Japanese iron marugata tsuba with openwork decoration
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Edo period
This listing presents a pair of Japanese tsuba, which are the traditional handguards fitted to the hilt of a Japanese sword such as a katana or wakizashi. Both examples are constructed from iron and feature a marugata, or circular, form.
These sword guards are characterized by their ajouré, or openwork, decoration, where areas of the metal plate have been pierced to create intricate negative space designs. The tsuba served both a functional purpose as a guard to protect the hand from an opponent's blade and as a structural balance for the sword, while also functioning as a primary vehicle for artistic expression within the samurai's armory. The two pieces demonstrate the refined metalwork techniques common during the Edo period.
One tsuba measures 7 cm in diameter, while the other measures 7.9 cm in diameter. These decorative elements were essential components of samurai weaponry, showcasing the distinct aesthetic traditions of feudal Japan through their precise craftsmanship and stylized perforations.
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
- iron
- Dimensions
- 7 cm and 7.9 cm diameter
Technical characteristics
- Shape
- marugata
- Ornamentation
- ajouré (openwork)
Design
- Style
- Japanese traditional
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.