Tsuba (1) - Cast iron - Shoami - Antique Tsuba for Samurai Sword with NBTHK Hozon Certificate (T-130) - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Signature: NO SIGNED Shoami-style Tsuba An Iron Tsuba sunken four corners shape with the symmetry rings design. The openwork engraves its rings. Shoami school worked as smiths for the Ashikaga Shogunate family. Shogun means the top of the Samurai (Japanese soldier) who ruled entire Japan. Mainly, they have two styles. The first pattern is circle-shaped iron Tsuba with openwork, and another type is with gold or silver inlaying. They were typically good at "Nunome Zougan," it is a kind of inlay technique. Stripes, similar to textile design, are put on the metal and gold or silver leaf cut into these dents. This Tsuba is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK.