Tsuba-21

製品番号 Product No.

TS – 21.

項目種類 Item type

信玄鍔  Shingen Tsuba

銘 MEI

無銘 MUMEI

形状  Shape.

撫丸形 Nada Maru gata

画像 Image.

The circular form iron plate has a wide rim and is carved with a running wave pattern

It has twenty-four (24) spokes which are wrapped  with brass wire on the rim and coper wire over the spokes

時代 Era

江戸時代 Edo period

日付 Date

Ca. 1700 -1750

伝 School

早乙女 伝  Saotome Den  

身長 Height

85.0 mm       

幅 Width

85.0 mm

厚さThickness (egde)

10.5 mm

重量 Weight

164 g.

物質 Material

Shibu-ichi 四分一, Shaku-dô 赤銅, engraved with inlaid gold 金 (gold plated) and silver 銀 (silver plated)

技法 Technique   

This Kozuka was made according to the  Shakudô-migaki  赤銅磨地 technique

日本美術刀剣保存協会         NBTHK Certificate

適用外です Not applicable

保存刀装具鑑 // 特別保存刀装具鑑,しんさの候補  Candidate for Hozon tōsō-gu or Tokubetsu Hozon tōsō-gu, Shin-sa exam

他の 証明書                           Other certificate

適用外です Not applicable

状態 Status

上工 Jōkō Superior Tsuba feels good, with an excellent patina

追加情報                            Additional Information

The here described “Shingen tsuba (信玄 鐔) has the folllowing features:

A round shape, thick iron basic-“Sukashi” plate with brass-copper wire braided pattern through the spokes and straps of the Tsuba (Also known as rope work pattern)

刀に適した鍔です This is a Tsuba suitable for Katana

歴史 History

Legend has it that once the famous warlord Takeda Shingen (武田信玄, 1521-1573) started to wrap brass wires around the openwork bridges and rim of his Tsuba as an exercise of concentration whilst waiting for the start of a battle

Presumably this kept him calm and focused and able to react and think in a clear manner when it counted. Because of this practice of his, many of his supporters followed in his actions and made these Tsuba as well. Apparently, this habit carried on through the Edo period, as there are examples made during the 1600’s -1700’s. Basically, these type of Tsuba are a large iron plate with brass wire wrapped in and out of the design