A Ko-Kachushi Tsuba with design of Hoshi ni Inome

Ko-Kachushi Tsuba date back to the Kamakura era and share many characteristics with Ko-Tosho Tsuba but they show a distinct rim or more complicated and larger openworks. Due to the similarity of their steel to Japanese Helmets and the way their rims are crafted they might have been made by armorers and makers of helmets.

This rare and large Ko-Kachushi Tsuba must date back to the Nanbokucho or early Muromachi period. By the size of the piece which is almost 10 cm in diameter we can assume the size of the blade this must have been mounted on once. The bold and symmetric design adds to the overall quiet elegance of the piece which is set in a thick round rim. We can see a mixture of Ji and Ko Sukashi elements with the Star in Ji-Sukashi and the heartshaped boar’s eyes in Ko-Sukashi. The Hitsuana bears the slightly elongated form typical to old Tsuba.

The rough and over the ages rusted surface speaks of the age and carries the air of the warfaring times of Japan.

Comes with a custom made high quality Kiri box.