江戸時代 刀装具 鍔 (T-266)

Title

Inaho Sukashi

販売店の記載のまま

Circle-shaped Tsuba made from iron. Inaho (稲穂, ears of rice) is engraved with the Sukashi-Bori (openwork) technique. Each grain of rice is realistically carved. Since ancient times, rice has been worshiped as an essential food and a symbol of wealth. Moreover, it has been treated like a treasure. Some people believed the god dwells in it. Therefore, the Inaho pattern has been often designed as a crest of the Inari (稲荷) shrine, which enshrines the Inari god, who is regarded as the god of grain and agriculture. Also, this plant motif is seen for family crests. It is one of the familiar designs for Japanese people.