Different Tsuba Types

In regards to the development of shape then, we can follow the paths through the following images.

The earliest tsuba.

Hôju tsuba


Tôran kei

|`

Tachi tsuba.

Aoi tachi tsuba


 

Kara tsuba



 

Mokko tachi tsuba

؉Z

 

Uchigatana tsuba.

With the development of the Uchigatana, the way the sword was worn changed, with the cutting edge or Ha pointing upwards. This change also effected the way in which tsuba were fitted. You will notice that the Nakago ana in now upside down compaired to that of the Tachi tsuba. Tachi of course were worn cutting edge down.

Katchushi

bht

 

Tosho



 

Ji sukashi

n

 

After this, the overall shapes in the Edo and late Edo periods took on many forms, including animals sleeping or curled up, religous motifs, floral and plant forms, geometrics and many more.


Other various tsuba shapes

Maru gata

ی` (`)

 

Mokko gata

؉Z`

 

Nademaru gata

ی`

 

Otafuku gata

`

 

Nade mokkô gata

؉Z`

 

Kaku gata

p`

 

Otafuku gata sukashi

`

 

Maru gata kô sukashi

ی`

 

Maru gata sukashi

ی`

 



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Copyright 2006. Richard Turner     Edited by Elliott Long