Tsuba Akasaka Tadatoki V Gen. - Moon & Nebula

This tsuba is a fine example of late–mature Akasaka sukashi work, displaying the school’s characteristic balance of bold negative space and elegant iron carving. The plate is round with a well-forged, dark patinated surface and a thick, rounded rim (dote-mimi) typical of later Akasaka generations. The openwork design consists of flowing, interlocking curves, likely representing stylized foliage, nebula banks or abstract wave forms, arranged symmetrically around the seppa-dai. The cutouts are clean and confident, showing the precision for which the 5th generation is known.

The motif—though abstract—conveys motion, vitality, and organic growth. The curving lines, neither too rigid nor overly decorative, embody the Akasaka aesthetic of disciplined elegance. The symmetrical, looping forms found in late Akasaka tsuba often reference everlasting continuity and the interconnectedness of life, which in the samurai worldview symbolized stability, loyalty, and moral steadfastness. The open design also lightens the plate, improving balance while contributing to its aesthetic clarity.

A samurai would have chosen such a tsuba to express a sense of refinement grounded in strength. The design suggests a warrior who values harmony, restraint, and dignified taste—an Edo-period retainer rather than a battlefield soldier. The calm rhythm of the lines reflects a cultivated mind capable of maintaining composure, while the robustness of the iron plate communicates readiness and resolve. In the social world of the Edo samurai, where aesthetic literacy signaled status, an Akasaka tsuba like this would serve as a subtle marker of sophistication.

Probable school and dating:
Akasaka School, likely 5th generation, mid Edo period (circa 1700–1800). The confident openwork, strong iron rim, and balanced abstraction fit well with the mature Akasaka style.

Dimension 79,6 mm x 81,3 mm x  6,4 mm (5,4 mm) 126,6 g