This intricate openwork (sukashi) tsuba presents an extraordinary design of climbing monkeys rendered in dense, overlapping relief. Each figure is individually formed, grasping and entangling with its neighbors in a dynamic circular pattern that fills the plate entirely. The motif of monkeys (saru) has long been associated with intelligence, playfulness, and protection from evil spirits in Japanese folklore. On swords, such imagery could carry both charm and humor, offering a talismanic safeguard for the bearer while showcasing the artisan’s remarkable control of form and rhythm.
Forged from iron, the tsuba exhibits deep, well-defined carving with sculptural three-dimensionality. The rim (mimi) is smooth and rounded, framing the active composition within. The openwork demonstrates careful undercutting and thoughtful composition, allowing the figures to appear intertwined yet individually discernible. The patina is even and stable, with light reddish-brown oxidation in recesses that enhances the sense of depth. The nakago-ana shows traces of careful adjustment, possibly from original mounting. Despite its complexity, the structure remains sturdy, with no visible cracks or major damage.
This tsuba is exceptional in visual impact and technique an outstanding example of late Edo creativity in ironwork.
