Tsuba Types

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

寳珠

Tôran kei

倒卵形

Tachi tsuba.

Aoi tachi tsuba

葵太刀鍔

Kara tsuba

唐鍔

Mokko tachi tsuba

木瓜太刀鍔

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

甲冑師

Tosho

刀匠

Ji sukashi

地透

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

丸形 (圓形)

Mokko gata

木瓜形

Nademaru gata

撫丸形

Otafuku gata

お多福形

Nade mokkô gata

撫木瓜形

Kaku gata

角形

Otafuku gata sukashi

お多福形透

Maru gata kô sukashi

丸形小透

Maru gata sukashi

丸形透