A JAPANESE IRON OWARI TSUBA

A JAPANESE IRON OWARI TSUBA

EDO PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY

Of circular form, decorated in openwork with geometric designs of rhomboids and pine needle motifs, with two openings for the scabbard accessories, unsigned, with Hozon Tosogu (Sword fitting Worthy of Preservation) certificate no.449698 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), dated 16th February 2006, in a kiri box, 7.9cm. (3)

Provenance: from a private European collection.

This type of tsuba was made in the Owari Province. They usually feature symmetrical designs and the tekkotsu ('iron bones') technique. They were first designed during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) until the early Edo Period (1615-1868).