Tsuba. Japanese Sword Guards

We have found a limited number of texts in the Western world that pertain to this exceptional and highly regarded component of the Japanese sword. Initially, the tsuba had a very specific function, that of protecting one’s hands from possible thrusts from an opponent’s sword in an armed encounter. However, it quickly gained great artistic relevance, and numerous elaborate motifs were used to decorate these pieces. The art of tsuba manufacturing became an art and a major specialty of relevance, giving rise to numerous schools dedicated to its manufacture and the emergence of important lineages of craftsmen.

Samurai, when choosing the motifs for his tsuba, could use his personal and artistic preferences as well as those that would define his personality or even his family lineage. For this reason, the choice of the tsuba and its designs was a matter of deep consideration.

This text is deemed indispensable and will undoubtedly unveil to the reader a range of knowledge and information that had been virtually unknown until this point.

Pages:154

160 mm x 230 mm

Black & white photographs

paperback with lapels