A Super Edo Period Signed Samurai Sword Tsuba That Has Been Damaged in Sword Combat possibly by Tsubazeriai

A most fascinating result of sword to sword combat by two samurai, either a blade has struck the tsuba and been deflected, but in its progress, cutting off part of the tsuba, or, possibly by two samurai locking swords, tsuba to tsuba and this one has broken. either way it is most intriguing. In a duel, in kendo, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the tsuba and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. This is known as tsubazeriai pushing tsuba against each other. Tsuba were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was making tsuba. They were usually lavishly decorated. In addition to being collectors items, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese families with samurai roots sometimes have their family crest (mon) crafted onto a tsuba. Tsuba can be found in a variety of metals and alloys, including iron, steel, brass, copper and shakudo.

Code: 23920