If you are not familiar with Japanese Samurai swords and their congruent parts, a tsuba is the protective hand guard mounted on a sword that slips on over the central tang of the blade. It has many functions, such as: being a counterbalance to the weight of the sword blade; preventing the user’s hand from sliding onto the sword’s blade, when thrusting; represent the beliefs, tastes and social standing of the owner and to protect the user’s hand from the blade of an opponent, to some extent. A tsuba in its basic form can be a plain, undecorated plate, but most are embellished with surface texturing, inlay/overlay of various types of metal and cut-out openwork or Sukashi, which also means ‘in silhouette’. Tsuba may be constructed from various materials that include “soft” metals, like copper and its alloys (bronze, brass and others); gold silver, leather, iron, etc.

Namban or Nanban tsuba is a type of style that has found its way to Japan from China, or by the East Indian route and gained popularity. In other words, it is a style with foreign influence in its design. These tsuba are almost always constructed of iron and have undercut scrollwork that may incorporate dragons, with the tama jewel or other creatures. Here is a helpful tip concerning the cleaning of your tsuba. Never clean it with metal polish because it will remove the patina and destroy the tsuba’s beauty and value. The spectacular Japanese tsuba featured here is antique iron Namban, possibly from the Edo era, which is 18^th to 19^th century. Its impressive stats are as follows: length is 7.0cm, width is 6.55cm, thickness is 0.5cm and weight is 82g. This phenomenal tsuba is maru gata, or round, in shape and the Sukashi is of a gorgeous twin dragon design. This incredible antique, iron Japanese Namban tsuba is a true work of art in its own right and would be an asset to any collection!

Own A Remarkable Piece Of Culture With An Antique Namban Tsuba For A Japanese Samurai Sword! is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

The sword, in Japanese culture, is a most important item, not just from a historical standpoint, but also from a spiritual one. Japanese warriors have always used their swords as an extension of themselves, or as a partner, and not merely a weapon. The Japanese military used swords extensively, particularly during the Russo-Japanese war and World War II. The soldiers carried different types of swords, which depended upon the rank of the officer, the branch of the army and the time period.
 

Shin-gunto, a Samurai sword carried by army officers, is primarily a mass-produced sword and the most common style of sword mountings from the World War II era. “Shin” means new, “gun” means military and “to” means sword. These swords have a brass mounting on the scabbard and hilt and reddish brown lacing on the hilt. There were handmade blades during this time, but not by traditional methods. These Samurai swords were categorized as Muratato, Showato, Hantanzo, Mantetsuto or Yotetsuto, based on the method of production. The Kindaito and Gendaito are swords made according to traditional methods.
 

Swords that were made using non-traditional methods or materials have stamps on the tangs or “nakago”, with the possible exception of some Gendaito, which have the star stamps of Jumei Tosho. Many swords also bore various logos on the scabbards or “saya”, but were not necessarily those of the manufacturer, as they may also have been the logos of the shops selling the swords. The shin-gunto scabbards are usually metal painted brown, although it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to find navy blue, tan or black scabbards. Leather field covers would be found on many of them as well.
 

Another type of Japanese sword was the NCO shin-gunto, which was for a non-commissioned officer. This particular type was subjected to a series of developments over the course of time and all were machine made. This fascinating, handmade, shin-gunto officer’s sword is in excellent condition, has brown lacing on the hilt and a metal scabbard. You can see the incredible detail work that has gone into the making of this sword. The images of cherry blossoms, which are the symbol for the Imperial Japanese Army, can be found on the pommels, the guard and the ornaments. The scabbard’s fittings are also embellished with the magnificent design of the cherry blossom. To own this exceptional Samurai sword is to have an antique enriched in Japanese history! You can buy this exquisite samurai sword here

A Genuine Piece Of Japanese Sword History With The Impressive Handmade Shin-Gunto Officer Sword! is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

This is a set of 2 47 "long premium quality bamboo shinai. This sword is perfect for light to hard practice use. The shinai comes brand new still wrapped in plastic. The shinai includes a thick plastic guard and securing ring.

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Kendo Shinai Traditional Japanese Bamboo Practice Sword SET of 2 is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

This Japanese sword cleaning kit includes blade oil, rice papers and a powder ball for blade polishing all featured in a collectible wooden box.

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Japanese Sword Cleaning Kit is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

The blade of the sword is constructed from carbon steel and features a visible temper line. The blade is full tang. The saya is wooden with a dark stained finish. The saya has been crafted to contour the shape of the blade. And fits seamlessly into the handle.

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Handmade Japanese Shirasaya Samurai Katana Sword Sharp is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

The lineage of the Japanese sword can be traced back over a thousand years, and throughout its long history the sword has emerged as one of Japan's most durable cultural assets. Part of its mythical appeal lies in the unique harmony of its historical roles as deadly hand-held weapon, embodiment of the samurai spirit, and powerful symbol of warfare. The types of sword that have been made, their forging methods, and the styles of blade have been influenced by historical events an (more...)

Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present (Hardcover) is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

The Japanese sword combines unbreakability, rigidity, and lethal cutting power, and it is in the resolution of these conflicting practical requirements that it emerges as a triumph of the forger's art. The mystique of the sword lingers on in our age of mechanized combat, but the aesthetic qualities for which swords are most valued by collectors today?the liveliness of the metal "skin," the confidence in every aspect of the design, the scrolling temper-line, the almost buoyant ligh (more...)

The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library) (Hardcover) is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

Still, behind the mythology, there is an art that is reinforced by actual science and fact, which is part of the reason why antique Japanese swords are so appealing.

Partly, this is due to the ‘layered’ effect that expert antique Japanese sword makers are able to produce. Through years and years of study and practice, antique Japanese swords are not just a single piece of steel that is made into the desired shape.

Instead, it is actually a combination of hard high-carbon steel and soft high-carbon steel that is melded into the layers of the sword’s blade itself. In essence, the layers laminate each other, making the blade stronger, harder, and much more durable than they would otherwise be.

Furthermore, even the cooling process of antique Japanese blades is important. Without getting caught up in the technique, it should suffice to say that the cutting-edge is cooled fast, to make it hard, while the rest of the sword is left to cool at a much slower rate.

By doing so, there is a sharp, hard edge that is capable of slicing through almost anything, while the rest of the sword is soft enough that it will not shatter on high impact.

Truly, it is amazing how the mythology of the antique Japanese sword is really quite scientifically based.

Behind the Creation Mythology of Antique Japanese Swords is a post from: Japanese Antiquities

Of course, trying to sum up the historical development of these antique swords as well as their cultural significance in a short article would be close to impossible. However, even this brief overview could help you to begin to delve into the vast area of study that surrounds antique Japanese swords.

For starters, it may surprise you to know that unlike other cultures, swords in Japan were regarded as more than a mere tool of war. Instead, they held what amounted to a religious significance that was worthy of worship and reverence.

Over the years, antique Japanese swords have evolved along with the culture, although admittedly the most recognizable is probably the katana, or otherwise popularly known as, samurai sword.

Bear in mind, this evolution of the swords were not just in their design, style, and outward appearance. Rather, it was a much deeper change in the craftsmanship that over the years became steeped in tradition itself, before eventually emerging as an art form in its own right.

In truth, antique Japanese swords represent a convergence of culture, history, religion, craft, and even science, all working hand in hand to elevate the blades to their singular status. Iconic worldwide, owning antique Japanese swords is only the first step…

Understanding antique Japanese swords is the challenge of a lifetime.

Beyond the Sharp Edge of Japanese Antique Swords… is a post from: Japanese Antiquities