Mokko-gata dragon tsuba

This finely crafted tsuba (鍔) originates from the Edo period (1603–1868), a time noted for peace and the flourishing of samurai culture and artistry. The piece serves as both a functional sword guard and a canvas for exquisite craftsmanship.

The tsuba features a ‘mokko-gata‘ (lobed or quince-shaped) form, with softly rounded edges and symmetrical lobes on all four sides and is made of iron. The surface is richly decorated with mixed metal inlays, including brass, silver, and copper inlay depicting dragons in brass and silver dragons with their slender, elongated bodies twisting gracefully around the edge of the tsuba surrounded by copper clouds.

The center is provided with the traditional ‘nakago-ana‘ and has a ‘Kozuka’ and ‘Kogai-ana‘ on the sides which are filled with a lead alloy. The tsuba is pierced with four heart shaped openings, called ‘Inome’ (猪目) which represent boar’s eyes. A auspicious feature often seen on Tachi swords, lasting in tsuba culture for centuries.