I am quite pleased with this early Qing, open work Hushou (sword guard) I recently acquired. It shares some decorative elements with a guard mounted on the Nurhaci’s dao. Nurhaci (1559-1626) was the founder of the Qing dynasty. Dating from circa 1650-1700, this guard has design elements that we see on later 18th century Qing guards, such as double concentric radiate rim, and elements that appear unique to the period. Those unique elements are the eight “jewels” aligned with the eight directions, four being round and four lozenge shaped. The rectangular washer seat at the center of this guard is one of the features that identifies this guard as Chinese. However, it has clearly been reworked for mounting on a Japanese blade.
Many early Qing and even late Ming guards are misidentified as Japanese tsuba. Those we encountered in Japan today made ti there as part of active trade between Japan and China. I collect these guards as references for my work designing historically accurate Chinese swords that we forge at Seven Stars Trading Co.