Signed Antique Japanese Tsuba Sword Guard w/ Crow House & Artisan Tools LS#114

A signed antique Japanese tsuba (sword guard) in bronze with mixed-metal inlay, notable for having been genuinely mounted and worn. This is not just a decorative piece — it carries the patina, wear, and subtle marks of actual service, adding to its authenticity and character.

The obverse depicts a thatched-roof house beside a flowing stream, with a crow in flight overhead — an evocative scene suggesting solitude and heritage. The reverse shows artisan’s tools — a whetstone, wood plane, and kanzashi hairpin — scattered across the ground, worked in copper and silver inlay. These details symbolize craft, daily life, and continuity of tradition.

The tsuba bears a signature (mei) near the nakago-ana, enhancing its value for study and collection. Its warm patina, tool marks, and honest wear are consistent with long use, offering the appeal of a true working sword fitting rather than a later reproduction.

An authentic, signed and used example of samurai sword furniture, blending functional history with artistry.

Details

• Origin: Japan

• Period: Edo–Meiji era

• Material: Bronze with copper and silver inlay

• Design: Thatched-roof house with crow in flight; reverse with whetstone, wood plane, and kanzashi

• Signature/Marks: Signed near nakago-ana (see photos)

• Use: Mounted and worn, with patina and wear consistent with use

• Dimensions: [Insert measurements]

• Condition: Worn antique condition, with honest patina and surface marks from use. Inlay intact, design clear, edges softened from handling and mounting.

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