Tsuba (1) - Cast iron - Mizuguruma (waterwheel) - Antique Tsuba for Samurai Sword (T-212) - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Signature: NO SIGNED Oval shape iron Tsuba Mizuguruma means waterwheel, which is a kind of popular motif for Kimono (traditional Japanese costume) in the Edo period. This Tsuba describes a scene of the waterside in a village. Dippers of waterwheel and currents of the river are inlaid with gold. Small plants are engraved on the backside. These grasses might be rice, indicating this side might show a part of the rice field. What is Tsuba? Tsuba is the hand-guard of the Japanese sword. High-class Samurai wore his katana sword with its beautiful sword mountings such as Tsuba. Tsuba’s front design tends to be more decorative as this part was often seen by other Samurais when he was walking on the streets.