{"product_id":"antique-japanese-iron-tsuba-sword-guard-sage-spider-edo-meiji","title":"Antique Japanese Iron Tsuba Depicting an Elderly Sage and Spider | Circa 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Patinated iron with contrasting mixed-metal relief decoration; fitted wooden storage box with purple textile lining\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Edo to Meiji period, circa 1800–1900\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn antique Japanese circular sword guard, or \u003cem\u003emaru-gata tsuba\u003c\/em\u003e, fashioned from patinated iron and decorated with an expressive figural scene in raised relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principal surface depicts an elderly bearded sage or hermit seated beneath the branches of a tree. Dressed in flowing robes and a folded cap, the figure holds a long staff in his right hand. Above him appears a prominently rendered spider suspended among the branches. Contrasting reddish-brown and silver-toned metal accents highlight the figure, staff, spider, and surrounding details against the darker iron ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the centre is the elongated \u003cem\u003enakago-ana\u003c\/em\u003e, through which the tang of the sword blade would have passed. Beside it is a smaller \u003cem\u003ekozuka-hitsu-ana\u003c\/em\u003e, intended to accommodate the handle of a small utility knife carried within the sword’s scabbard. Small surviving metal adjustments along the central opening suggest that the guard may once have been fitted to a particular sword tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is more restrained, retaining a dark, textured surface with faint incised and relief details. The tsuba is housed within a fitted wooden collector’s box lined with deep purple textile, allowing it to be safely stored and attractively displayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Circular \u003cem\u003emaru-gata\u003c\/em\u003e form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Elderly bearded sage or hermit rendered in relief\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Figure holding a long staff in his right hand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Spider depicted among the tree branches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Contrasting mixed-metal decorative accents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Central \u003cem\u003enakago-ana\u003c\/em\u003e for the sword tang\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Smaller \u003cem\u003ekozuka-hitsu-ana\u003c\/em\u003e for a utility knife\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dark, naturally developed iron patina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Fitted wooden collector’s box\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Purple textile-lined interior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical \u0026amp; Cultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tsuba was mounted between the blade and handle of a Japanese sword, helping to protect the wielder’s hand while contributing balance and visual distinction to the complete sword mounting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the comparatively peaceful Edo period, tsuba developed beyond their practical purpose into highly personal miniature works of metal art. Their decoration frequently drew upon Japanese and Chinese legends, religious traditions, celebrated historical figures, natural subjects, and symbols chosen to communicate the owner’s education, interests, or personal values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elderly sage traditionally evokes wisdom, longevity, perseverance, and spiritual contemplation. Spiders in Japanese decorative art may carry several meanings, including patience, careful workmanship, fate, and the arrival of good fortune or a welcome visitor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood antique condition with age-related patination, oxidation, surface rubbing, fine scratches, pitting, small edge marks, and localized losses to the contrasting metal decoration. Linear surface marks and areas of reddish-brown coloration are visible across the composition. The central and secondary apertures remain intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fitted wooden box exhibits scratches, rubbing, minor separations along its constructed joins, and general wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eTsuba\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 3.25 in\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eStorage Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLength: 4.75 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 4.7 in\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 1.25 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e125–225 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired in Japan by a collector identified as Hawkins, as documented by the accompanying Japanese receipt. The receipt records an amount of ¥50,000 and identifies the object as a sword guard under the apparent reference or inventory number C7790.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date is written as “Year 2, May 26,” without the Japanese era name being clearly stated. A handwritten Canadian currency-conversion notation on the document strongly suggests that this represents Heisei 2, corresponding to May 26, 1990. The document additionally bears the handwritten name K. Butler and the English description “Tsuba — Old Man with Staff in Right Hand.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently sold through Waddington’s Auctioneers \u0026amp; Appraisers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1850, Waddington’s describes itself as Canada’s original auction house and has long maintained specialist departments devoted to Asian and international art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover a related Japanese sword guard, or tsuba, in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/26306\" title=\"Japanese Sword Guard (Tsuba) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore another \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/antique-japanese-eizui-tsuba-liu-bei-samurai-sword-guard\" title=\"Antique Japanese Eizui Tsuba with Liu Bei – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eAntique Japanese Eizui Tsuba with Liu Bei\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/eastern-antiquities-cultural-relics\" title=\"Eastern Antiquities and Cultural Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Eastern Antiquities \u0026amp; Cultural Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56004829708610,"sku":null,"price":1450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_4.jpg?v=1788098999","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/antique-japanese-iron-tsuba-sword-guard-sage-spider-edo-meiji","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}