#swordguard

[steelandcotton]

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.

[joqatana]

I lifted this from @metarmsandarmor’s Twitter page because there is very little metalwork that can stop The Goldsmith’s Daughter in her tracks. This is amazing. 
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#tsuba #swordguard #katana #katanasword #metalart #metalsmithing #mixedmetals #carvedmetal #goldcarving #japaneseart #japanesemon #japanesecrest #goldandsteel #thegoldsmithsdaughter (at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQW0lFpFx0/?igshid=2fvzbfw5k7or

[hayakawajunpei]

Tsuba (sword guard) with figure of Ōmori Hikoshichi. By Toshinaga. Taguchi Collection Ōsaka.

[steelandcotton]

Another example of a Beautiful Chinese Sword Guard misidentified as a Japanese tsuba. Judging from the style of the dragons, this interesting open work piece likely dates from the late Ming period.

Source: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O466095/tsuba/?fbclid=IwAR2MUprHuc2JtT0NOe8O6dzdpuGNIZDhz07iaQzdqFLGMJWoSLpiyu2vDYk

[steelandcotton]

An 18th century, Chinese iron sword guard with deeply chiseled design of a signal dragon amid foliage with two free floating “pearls” at the top and bottom of the guard. The rectangular center re-cut for mounting on a Japanese sword and with a hole cut in the right side for a utility knife. (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

[steelandcotton]

A beautiful example of an iron, open work, sword guard (hushou) made in Tibet for the Japanese market. The open work is easily identifiable as Tibetan, being typical for the work from Tibet. The design elements, such as the style of the dragons and the beaded rim, point to the Qianlong period (r. 1735-1796) when these elements were popular. The pearl at the top of the guard, between the two dragons floats free.

I find this piece particularly interesting as a very strong indicator of a trade in fittings between the early Qing empire and Japan as craftsmen working in far away Tibet obviously had a clear idea of what was expected in a guard meant to be mounted on a Japanese katana. Note the two holes on each side of the guard for the small knives carried on each side of katana scabbards as well as the blade edge up washer seat.

[steelandcotton]

Early to Mid-Qing Sabre Guard

The fitting looks to date from the Qianlong period or perhaps earlier.

[steelandcotton]

Incorrectly identified as an Edo period tsuba, this Chinese sword guard (hushou) is Ming in style and dates from the later Ming period or early Qing. I have a very similar guard on an early Ming saber in my collection.

Source: https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-stylized-flowers-and-foliage-8494?fbclid=IwAR2oO4afzpd-Crvcc0VjJSwcjnMjFQrS6l2jZ59KBrrGyHnCmdbp-_9flfM