This tsuba, attributed to the Futakoyama School (二子山派), presents a richly carved kumo-mon (雲文, cloud motif) arranged in deeply swirling relief across an oval plate. The entire surface is dominated by dynamic, curling cloud forms rendered with soft modeling and a sense of atmospheric movement, characteristic of the school’s decorative vocabulary. The rim follows an undulating outline shaped by the rhythm of the cloud layers, giving the tsuba a sculptural silhouette rather than a simple circular profile. The hitsu-ana are framed with traces of nunome-zōgan (布目象嵌, textile-pattern inlay) in gold, a refinement that contrasts against the dark, well-forged iron base. The plate shows controlled hammer work and subtle texturing, typical of mid-Edo craftsmanship, executed with the Futakoyama School’s tendency toward elegance and restrained ornamentation.
Interpreting this design, the cloud motif carries profound symbolic weight in Japanese aesthetics. Clouds evoke transformation, the unseen movement of the heavens, and the ever-shifting boundary between the earthly world and the divine. In samurai culture, such imagery could reflect ideals of mujō (無常, impermanence) and readiness for change, or the aspiration toward elevated clarity of mind. Clouds also appear in classical literature and Noh iconography, suggesting a cultivated warrior with an affinity for poetic and cosmological themes. The careful flow of the swirling forms on this tsuba likely appealed to a samurai who appreciated refined symbolism rather than overt martial imagery.
A samurai choosing such a tsuba may have sought to express an inner focus and sophistication, aligning himself with an aesthetic of quiet power. The cloud motif could suggest strategic foresight—like clouds concealing or revealing the sky—or an allusion to a warrior who moves fluidly and adapts as conditions shift. Additionally, the Futakoyama School’s rarity indicates that the owner may have valued objects outside mainstream schools, emphasizing individuality and connoisseurship.
Probable school and date: Futakoyama School (二子山派), mid–late Edo period (18th–19th century).
The Tsuba-dai wil be included but there is no fitted box.
Dimension 79,8 mm x 85,0 mm x 4,5 mm (4,7 mm) 127,3 g
