Type: Tsuba
Material: Iron with copper inlay
Mass: 74.7 g
Signature: Unsigned
This elegant iron tsuba depicts a serene night scene with golden fireflies hovering above delicately inlaid grass. The motif captures a moment of stillness in nature, evoking the fleeting light of summer evenings; a classic theme in Japanese art symbolizing impermanence and beauty in simplicity. The fireflies are executed in copper inlay, contrasting gently against the subdued, dark patina of the iron ground.
The tsuba’s surface exhibits a smooth, slightly convex form with traces of hand forging and hammer texture. The inlays are carefully worked into the iron. The patina is even and natural, with minor darkening and small patches of oxidation consistent with age but no structural damage. The piece feels light yet substantial in hand, indicative of functional mounting on a wakizashi or smaller katana.
