A JAPANESE IRON SHOAMI TSUBA

A JAPANESE IRON SHOAMI TSUBA

EDO PERIOD, 17TH OR 18TH CENTURY

The pentalobed body with an openwork design featuring a central five-petalled flower, with Hozon Tosogu (Sword fitting Worthy of Preservation) certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), dated 21st August 1971, in a kiri box, 9.5cm. (3)

Provenance: from a private European collection.

This shape is said to represent the Japanese quince. It was used as the standard mon for the Oda family, called the Oda Mokko. The Oda clan included important daimyos who were involved in the unification of Japan in the mid-16th century, including Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582).