Type: Tsuba Material: Iron Estimated Age: Edo period (18th–19th century) Mass: 168.3 g Signature: Unsigned
A solid maru-gata iron tsuba featuring a raised relief design of a mountain peak rising through swirling clouds, carved in low relief. The imagery likely depicts Mount Fuji; a sacred and enduring symbol of strength, transcendence, and immortality within Japanese culture. Subtle carving lines outline the mountain ridges, while light hammerwork suggests drifting mist along the base. The surface carries an unpretentious, meditative quality typical of guards made for practical use, yet it holds the poetic resonance of nature revered by Edo-period craftsmen.
The plate is forged from dense, fine-grained iron with a dark brown-black patina that has matured evenly with age. The rim (mimi) is rounded and substantial, contributing to the piece’s solid weight and presence in hand.
This unsigned work shares aesthetic traits with early Tosho and Ko-Katchushi traditions, where simplicity and strength were favored over ornate embellishment. The mountain-and-cloud motif also recalls later Owari or Echizen school interpretations, which emphasized symbolic landscapes and nature scenes rendered in relief rather than piercing. The overall execution, weight, and subdued form suggest a transitional Edo-period piece that balanced martial functionality with contemplative artistry.
