- XVIII

T-568

Ferro patinato inciso e traforato

Tsuba” (鐔 or more commonly 鍔), sword guard/hand guard. The tsuba was an independent and removable part of the body of the katana (刀) that, yes, had as its original purpose that of safeguarding the hand of the person holding the sword, but which over time increasingly became an indicator of social status. It is a “simple” metal plate of which there are traces dating back to the end of the Kofun period (250 BC-538 AD), but which starting from the Edo period (1600-1868) took on increasingly complex and particular forms. If already between the 14th and 15th centuries, alloys based on soft metals began to be used instead of steel for their forging, it is from the Edo period that they took on the function of “status indicator” since, when the katana was placed in its scabbard (鞘, “saya”), they were the only visible part together with the hilt (柄, “tsuka”). In their manufacture, the use of gold or silver inserts was introduced and natural, mythical or fantastic elements began to be depicted on the surface of the tsuba, which therefore took on increasingly complex forms. This is particularly true for the “external” or “upper” part of the tsuba called “omote” (表). Tsuba with festoon of eighteen shells. Shell motif, belongs to the Kinai 記内家 school, active in Japan between the 17th and 18th centuries. This school was affiliated with the Yasutsugu (康継) family of blacksmiths, who produced blades for the Tokugawa. The distinctive feature of the Kinai style is the openwork modeled in round and executed with great mastery. The most recurring subjects are naturalistic elements, and, in particular, dragons. This school is also famous for its engravings on blades.