Den Yagyu Tsuba with the design of birds in flight and Amida yasuri
Inheriting their name from Yagyu Renyasai a master of the Yagyu school of military arts who started designing these Tsuba. Yagyu Tsuba symbolise the ideals of the Japanese warrior. Yagyu Tsuba are usually small but strong as can be seen here.
The considerable Niku Oki (bi-concave shape) is 2,2 mm and stretches out from the Seppa-Dai to the heavy rim adding power to the Tsuba. The thickening of the plate is supported by the short but thick strokes of the Amida yasuri which evoke a feeling as if the power extends radially from the middle section to the rim. In so far the thick rim is not only a means of protection but also an aesthetic moment of concentrated strength. The clearly visible outstanding linear Tekkotsu runs all around the outer side of the rim and is also a feature of the extraordinary forging quality.
The Tsuba had been treated by perfectly controlled Yakite which one can see on the surface encircled by the strong rim. This kind of sandy looking Yakite surface is typical for many of the older Yagyu Tsuba.
Five birds in Ko Sukashi fly counter clockwise around the seppa dai. The Hozon certificate explains the birds as being Chidori i.e. plovers.
Altogether this is an excellently forged and strong Yagyu Tsuba expressing the mind and virtues of swordsmen.
The Hozon Kanteisho attributes the Tsuba to ‘Den Yagyu’
H: 77,2 mm
W: 75,5 mm
R: 5,5 mm
Sd: 2,3 mm
