Type: Tsuba
Material: Iron
Estimated Age: Edo period (18th–19th century)
Mass: 96.6 g
Signature: Unsigned
A well-balanced round (maru-gata) iron tsuba with an openwork (sukashi) design depicting a cascading branch of fern or willow leaves curving elegantly across the plate. The rhythm of the pierced leaves conveys a sense of flowing movement evoking nature’s grace and continuity. Motifs of this kind often symbolized humility and endurance, as the flexible fern or willow bends without breaking, aligning with the samurai ideal of quiet resilience. The clean symmetry of the design and the negative space it creates lend the piece a sense of refined restraint.
The tsuba has been forged from dense, high quality iron with a dark, matte patina that has developed naturally over time. The rim (mimi) is smooth and subtly rounded. The pierced leaves show confident, consistent carving.
