Tsuba - Kyo-Sukashi Sippo Mon (七宝文)

This tsuba is a round iron guard executed in the Kyō-sukashi style, featuring a finely crafted shippō-mon pattern composed of overlapping circles symbolizing harmony, good fortune, and the continuity of life.

Shippō (七宝) = “Seven Treasures”

Mon (文|紋) = pattern or crest

The openwork is regular and precise, reflecting the refined elegance typical of Kyoto workmanship. The central nakago-ana is slightly trapezoidal and shows subtle signs of age and use. It has some characteristics which make me think it might have an relation with Akasaka School and Owari Tradition. 

To its right is a small inlaid detail made from a lighter metal—likely copper alloy—serving either as a decorative accent. On the left side is an oval kōgai-ana. The tsuba fits well within the proportions expected of a delicate yet sturdy sukashi guard from the Edo period. Its surface shows a dark, patina with sgins of wear on raised areas and rusted spots, typical after encrustatons from blood, It has indeed been used in fitghts, adding to its sense of age and authenticity. Overall, it represents an elegant synthesis of geometric design and technical finesse, characteristic of Kyō-sukashi work from the 17th to 18th century.

Key points:

- Kyō-sukashi iron tsuba with shippō-mon (seven-treasures) motif

- Precise, symmetrical openwork typical of Kyoto schools

- copper-alloy inlay detail on the right side

- Dark, even Edo-period patina with light wear

Dimension 75,9 mm x 76,9 mm x  5,6 mm (5,6 mm) 88,0 g