The Art of Tsuba — A Universe in the Palm of Your Hand

The tsuba is a metal guard fitted at the base of a sword blade, but its artistic value rivals that of the blade itself.

The practical era: Tsuba from the Kamakura through Muromachi periods were primarily simple iron pieces with openwork designs. Owari sukashi and katchushi tsuba are representative of this era.

The decorative era: In the peaceful Edo period, tsuba evolved into true art objects. The Shoami school mastered shakudo and gold inlay to create magnificent works.

The Goto school: A prestigious lineage serving as official metalworkers to the shogunate from Muromachi through Edo. Their technique of takabori gold work on shakudo nanako ground is known as "Goto-bori."

Yokoya Somin: Regarded as the founder of machi-bori (town carving), he revolutionized metalwork with painterly katakiri-bori. His technique of freely expressing flowers, birds, wind, and moon profoundly influenced later generations.

Tsuba are also an ideal entry point for sword collecting. They start at relatively affordable prices and can be collected without requiring much space.