[MS] Tsuba
SKU: DCS-JTAPE
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The Tsuba is the sword's guard. It has the function of protecting the hand from the opponent's blade but also from having one's hand sliding onto the blade during Tsuki (thrust) techniques.
However, it has two other qualities: aesthetics and balance adjustment. During the Edo period, the Tsuba turned progressively into a decorative ornament. It was often generously well made, giving every sword a personal and particular touch.There can be one or two holes on the sides of the Tsuba. They were used to unsheathe the Kogatana (small knife) or Kogai (hairpin) that were fitted inside the sides of the Saya. Tsuba used to be made by entire dynasties of craftsmen who only specialized in that particular field; they have almost vanished in the present time.
The average weight of a standard Tsuba is 120 g.
A heavy Tsuba (> 120 g) will tend to shift the balance downwards the handle, making the Iaito easier to handle whereas a light Tsuba (< 120 g) will push the balance towards the Kissaki, the tip of the blade. The latter is recommended if you decide to focus on cutting training. You will find below some pictures of all our Tsuba but also details on size, material, and weight.The Sukashi series, from TM031 to TM036 is a special series of widely opened Tsuba (called Sukashi). Made of blackened iron, they are coated by hand with a traditional lacquer.
Please note that the pictures above only display the front side of the Tsuba. You can find pictures of the reverse of each Tsuba on the dedicated product page.
Tsuba Technical Specifications
Tsuba Technical Specifications Code
NameDescription Material Dimensions Weight TM001
WashiEagle Blackened iron 75 mm x 70 mm x 4.1 mm 136 g TM002
YagyuName of a famous Samurai clan. Also called Kuruma Sukashi. Blackened copper 75 mm x 73 mm x 5.3 mm 123 g TM003
ShippoThe 7 treasures (gold, silver, pearls, agate, crystal, coral, lapis lazuli) Blackened iron 74 mm x 70 mm x 4.1 mm 135 g TM004
HanjiroFavored by the famous samurai Hanjiro. Blackened copper 79 mm x 65 mm x 6 mm 142 g TM005
UmetadaDesign by a famous blacksmith of the Edo period Blackened iron 84 mm x 75 mm x 4.3 mm 150 g TM006
HyotanGourd (calabash) Blackened copper 71 mm x 70 mm x 5 mm 126 g TM007
MusashiUsed by the most famous of all samurai Blackened copper 74 mm x 74 mm x 7.1 mm 146 g TM008
KasugaKasuga refers to the shape of the Tsuba. Blackened iron 84 mm x 76 mm x 4.1 mm 138 g TM009
AmeryuDragon under the rain Blackened iron 81 mm x 77 mm x 4.1 mm 147 g TM010
NamakoHolothuroidea (sea cucumber) Blackened iron 74 mm x 69 mm x 4.1 mm 90 g TM011
MujiPlain (no pattern) Blackened iron 74 mm x 69 mm x 4.1 mm 134 g TM012
KagechoButterfly shadow Blackened copper 74 mm x 72 mm x 5 mm 106 g TM013
NamiWaves Blackened iron 81 mm x 77 mm x 4.1 mm 145 g TM014
HirataDesign by a famous blacksmith of the Edo period Blackened copper 76 mm x 72 mm x 4.5 mm 120 g TM015
HigoA famous design of the Higo province (now Kumamoto) Blackened iron 75 mm x 71 mm x 4.1 mm 90 g TM016
Shin UmetadaDesign by a famous blacksmith of the Edo period Blackened iron 85 mm x 76 mm x 4.1 mm 165 g TM017
Icho Zogan (Kasuga)Kasuga shape with silver ginkgo arabesque Blackened iron 84 mm x 77 mm x 4.1 mm 141 g TM018
Mitsuboshi Sansumi SukashiRepresents a constellation of 3 stars in triangle. This is also Minosaka's logo. Blackened iron 77 mm x 77 mm x 5 mm 100 g TM019
Mokko Namako SukashiNamako (Holothuroidea) within a Mokko shape Blackened iron 72 mm x 75 mm x 5 mm 110 g TM020
Yatsushiro Kagecho SukashiCopy of an ancient Tsuba made by master Yatsushiro. Represents the shadow of a butterfly. Blackened Iron 77 mm x 75 mm x 5 mm 100 g TM021
Shiho Namako Sukashi4 Holothuroidea (sea cucumber) Blackened Iron 79 mm x 74 mm x 5 mm 115 g TM022
Akasaka Musashino SukashiJapanese pampas grass turned over after a storm, under a moon crescent Blackened iron 75 mm x 78 mm x 5 mm 100 g TM023
Hanamon SukashiFlower petals - Famous Japanese crest Blackened iron 79 mm x 79 mm x 5 mm 60 g TM024
Yotsuwa Sukashi4 imbricated rings. Blackened Iron 72 mm x 73 mm x 5 mm 90 g TM025
Ouka SukashiRepresent a Sakura flower (cherry blossom). Also the lightest of all Tsuba. Blackened Iron 77 mm x 82 mm x 4.5 mm 60 g TM026
Owari SukashiTsuba made in the tradition of the Owari province (now Aichi prefecture). Blackened Iron 81 mm x 80 mm x 4.5 mm 100 g TM027
Kuyo SukashiFeatures the symbolic 9 planets planets in the buddhism cosmogony. Blackened Iron 86 mm x 86 mm x 5 mm 165 g TM028
Kagi SukashiJapanese hook symbol Blackened iron 83 mm x 83 mm x 5 mm 100 g TM029
Yatsu Warabite Sukashi8 Warabite (Japanese traditional symbol) Blackened iron 79 mm x 79 mm x 5 mm 130 g