katana tsuba

Katana tsuba

Tsuba is a kind of Japanese sword mounting. It was initially equipped katana tsuba a Japanese sword for practical reasons. However, Tsuba attached importance to its decorativeness.

Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings tosogu [1] that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. They were externally featureless save for the needed mekugi-ana [3] to secure the nakago tang , though sometimes sayagaki blade information was also present. The need for specialized storage is because prolonged koshirae mounting harmed the blade, owing to factors such as the lacquered wood retaining moisture and encouraging corrosion. Such mountings are not intended for actual combat, as the lack of a tsuba guard and proper handle wrappings were deleterious; as such they would likely never make their way onto a battlefield. However, there have been loosely similar "hidden" mountings, such as the shikomizue. Also, many blades dating back to earlier Japanese history are today sold in such a format, along with modern-day reproductions; while most are purely decorative replicas, a few have functional blades. More commonly "tsukuru" is used in its place with both words meaning to "make, create, manufacture.

Katana tsuba

We Use Cookies Our website uses cookies for some features to work including currencies, shopping cart, sign in, sorting and check out systems. The Tsuba is the Katana's guard designed to protect the wielders hand during a sword fight as well as prevent the swordsman's hands from accidentally slipping forward onto the blade. The tsuba also contributed to the swords performance by being weighted properly to counter-balance the blade. During the Muromachi and Momoyama periods between and Japan's clans and families were in a nearly constant state of war. The tsuba at this time were normally simple in design and made from strong metals for the purpose of heavy warfare. The rise of the Edo period brought peace in Japan so tsuba makers could create more ornate decorative designs utilizing softer metals like gold, silver and brass in their designs. In this period whole dynasties of craftsmen would dedicate their lives to only making tsuba which would become collectors items and heirlooms passed down by generations. The samurai would normally have at least two sets of furniture for their blade. A decorative artistic themed set which they could dress their sword with in times of peace and a second set of heavy battle fittings for times of war. These are some examples photo's of many different Tsuba found on the Japanese katana in our store. Create a Free Reliks account to collect Reliks Rewards as well as to save your settings for future visits. An account is not required to place an order. The Tsuba - Parts of a Japanese Katana The Tsuba is the Katana's guard designed to protect the wielders hand during a sword fight as well as prevent the swordsman's hands from accidentally slipping forward onto the blade. Tsuba Photos These are some examples photo's of many different Tsuba found on the Japanese katana in our store. The sakura or cherry blossom motif is adorning the metal kabuto-gane to accent the traditional tachi styled tsuba and metal mounts.

In addition to being collectors items, katana tsuba, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Ancient Khanda Urumi Aruval. Each tsuba has a size 5 to 10 cma slice and a particular shape.

The Tsuba of the Katana. Tsuba are the guards of Japanese swords katanas, wakizashi, tantos. Their goal is to prevent the opponent's blade from slipping on the saber and cutting off the hand. Each tsuba has a size 5 to 10 cm , a slice and a particular shape. It is however possible to identify ten different shapes: round Marugata , "square" with rounded angles Kaku gata, Yuko Ito gata , quadrilobate Moko gata, Tate Ito gata , rectangular Aori gata. The first tsubas date back to the 6th century.

Photo Credit: A samurai and his horse bound up the bank of a river to come to grips with the enemy. Precious sword in hand, the tsuba, or hand guard, is clearly visible. For hundreds of years great artistry was worked into the tsuba. Tsuba, the hand guards of the traditional samurai sword, have a long, rich, and complex history. This article appears in: April The swords of the samurai have long been desirable to collectors. Now, even their parts have become prized. The blade, scabbard, and mountings each were likely made by individual artists and are things of rare beauty. This is true as well of the tsuba, or hand guards.

Katana tsuba

Tsuba artisans soon produced ornamental styles, which became family heirlooms. Most of these designs reflect the mythology, legends, customs, religion, and artistic side of Japan. Knowing the history and distinctive characteristics of these sword guards may inspire you to build your collection or personalize your Japanese sword for training. Without it, the sword loses much of its efficiency. A Japanese tsuba must be crafted from high-quality materials with good design and craftsmanship.

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A koshirae should be presented with the tsuka hilt to the left, particularly in times of peace with the reason being that you cannot unsheathe the sword easily this way. Traditionally the koiguchi the throat of the scabbard and kojiri the chape were made from buffalo horn. During the Edo period, many formalized rules were put into place: in times of war the hilt should be presented to the right allowing the sword to be readily unsheathed. Before that date some tsubas had to be imported. Early Edo period. The different forms of tsubas. They were usually lavishly decorated. For the short sword wakizashi , its tsuba generally features two hitsu-ana —the kozuka hitsu-ana on the left and the kogai-hitsu-ana on the right. Thank you for visiting our website. The classification exposed above is absolutely not exhaustive we could quote the school of Kamayama which began under the Muromachi period characterized for its iron tsubas close to another style, that of Owari. Tsuba artisans usually crafted matching small and large handguards for the pair of swords called daisho. Apart from being a writer, she also dabbles in fashion modeling and acting. The sukashi tsuba that features cut-out designs is also the earliest artistically decorated sword guard.

Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings tosogu [1] that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored.

Sword types and classifications by region and historical era. Classic stage Dha. The main forms. The Japanese sword guard is both decorative and functional. Women carried them in their kimono either in a pocket like fold or in the sleeve [12] for self-defense or for suicide by means of slashing the jugular veins and carotid artery in the left side of the neck. Martial Arts Weapons and Training. You can enlarge all the photos to see the detail of the item. Animal Design. Tsuba artisans like Kaneiye, Nobuiye, and Umetada crafted distinctive iron guards. Tsuba with dragonfly in shibuichi.

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