A ko-tosho tsuba made of iron, of the round form (丸型, maru-gata), pierced in negative silhouette (文透, mon-sukashi) with the design of Shingon Buddhism symbols of vajra [金剛杵] (kongosho), Sun, Moon and Star [月日星] (tsuki-hi-hoshi) – three sources of light [三光] (sankō). Round rim. No hitsu-ana; the shape of nakago-ana may suggest use on naginata [薙刀.
Muromachi period (1393 – 1573).
Height: 94.4 mm, Width: 93.4 mm, Centre thickness: 3.1 mm.
Another possible explanation for "The element at the 11-o’clock position is in my opinion a kemari ball for the courtly game of the same name (picture attached)" [Markus Sesko].
Additional Information
| Collection | Japanese swords & fittings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Sword hand guard , Tsuba |
| Period | 15 AD , 16 AD , Muromachi period [室町時代] (1336–1573) |
| Country | Japan |
| School | Ko-Tosho |
| Material | Iron |
| Media/Technique | Ko-sukashi (small cut-outs) , Sukashi |
| Subject | Moon , Shingon Buddhism , Stars , Sun , Three sources of light |
| Acquisition year | 2022 |
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