Tsuba with design of woodgrain pattern. Signed: “Made by Tsunetada, a resident of Kawagoe, Musashi province.”
Late Edo period Shakudo, Copper
【 Dimensions（mm）】- H 69.3 x W 62.0 x T 6.0 ／ 139.2g
- 【 Date of production 】
- Late Edo period
- Bold and virile, this is a masculine piece. Looking at the signature, the tsuba looks to be the mokume gane craftsmanship from Kawagoe toward the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. Even with the same combination of metals, the expression of the pattern can create a different impression and overall atmosphere.
- Tsuka：Sword handle
- Fuchi：Metal collar on sword handle
- Kashira：Metal pommel (or butt cap) at tip of handle
- Menuki：Ornamental rivets on the tsuka. They also prevent the hand from slipping.
- Tsuba：Sword guard fitted between the handle and the blade, to protect the hand holding the handle
- Kurikata：Fitting near the sayaguchi (opening of scabbard) for attaching the sageo
- Kojiri：Ornamental fitting at the tip of the saya (scabbard)
- Kôgai：A utensil shaped like a chopstick that fitted into the scabbard and was used to tie back hair
- Kozuka：The handle of a small knife that fitted into the scabbard, or the small sword itself
- Kawaragane：Fittings attached to the part where the kozuka was stored
- Koiguchi：The opening, or mouth, of the scabbard
- Sageo：The cord used to attach the sword to the obi