Title: Kiku Sukashi Tsuba Description Circle-shaped Tsuba that has Kozuka and Kougai holes. We would like to judge that the Kiku (菊, chrysanthemum) is designed, and it seems the gold (or brass) was initially applied to its outline. The flower is blooming, and its leaves are engraved on the lower side. A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life, and it was brought to Japan from the continent with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum symbolizes autumn, and Japanese people have appreciated it very much since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. Here we introduce stories about the chrysanthemum design to you. It would show you the deep relationship between this plant motif and the Samurai culture. From the Kamakura (1185-1333) period to the Warring States period (1467-1615), the chrysanthemum crest was rewarded from the then emperor to the warlords who made significant contributions. For example, Ashikaga Takauji (足利 尊氏, 1305-1358), who became the first Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, cooperated with Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, 1288-1339) to dissolve the Kamakura Shogunate. And Takauji was given a chrysanthemum crest. In addition, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) was also given a chrysanthemum crest by Emperor Goyouzei (後陽成天皇, 1571-1617). A theory says Hideyoshi was delighted and used this motif for furniture. At that time, the emperor was regarded as God. Therefore, it was an irreplaceable honor for Samurais to receive the family crest from the emperor. In this way, the chrysanthemum was one of the motifs closely related to the Samurais, and, understandably, it was often designed for sword mountings. It could be inferred that people have widely cherished this motif as an auspicious pattern and as a design that represents his achievements as a warrior. This Tsuba has the Mei (銘, engraved inscription). Please note that there is NO provenance or certificate that proves its signature’s authenticity. *As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition. 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. Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai? The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai. 【About us】 Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on. 【Payment method】 We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal , Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the chec

Title: Kiku Sukashi Tsuba Description Circle-shaped Tsuba that has Kozuka and Kougai holes. We would like to judge that the Kiku (菊, chrysanthemum) is designed, and it seems the gold (or brass) was initially applied to its outline. The flower is blooming, and its leaves are engraved on the lower side. A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life, and it was brought to Japan from the continent with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum symbolizes autumn, and Japanese people have appreciated it very much since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. Here we introduce stories about the chrysanthemum design to you. It would show you the deep relationship between this plant motif and the Samurai culture. From the Kamakura (1185-1333) period to the Warring States period (1467-1615), the chrysanthemum crest was rewarded from the then emperor to the warlords who made significant contributions. For example, Ashikaga Takauji (足利 尊氏, 1305-1358), who became the first Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, cooperated with Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, 1288-1339) to dissolve the Kamakura Shogunate. And Takauji was given a chrysanthemum crest. In addition, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) was also given a chrysanthemum crest by Emperor Goyouzei (後陽成天皇, 1571-1617). A theory says Hideyoshi was delighted and used this motif for furniture. At that time, the emperor was regarded as God. Therefore, it was an irreplaceable honor for Samurais to receive the family crest from the emperor. In this way, the chrysanthemum was one of the motifs closely related to the Samurais, and, understandably, it was often designed for sword mountings. It could be inferred that people have widely cherished this motif as an auspicious pattern and as a design that represents his achievements as a warrior. This Tsuba has the Mei (銘, engraved inscription). Please note that there is NO provenance or certificate that proves its signature’s authenticity. *As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition. 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. Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai? The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai. 【About us】 Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on. 【Payment method】 We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal , Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the chec