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- the sword by providing an accurate centre of gravity. Its main function was to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade and being slashed and was also an important accoutrement of defence, used to block an incoming opponent's strike from sliding down the blade to cut the defender's hand.
The development of the tsuba sword guard was closely linked to the evolution of the sword in Japan and was probably originally made by swordsmiths to be fitted on their own swords. Early tsuba from the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and the Momoyama period (1573- 1603) were strong and functional, and often traditionally made of iron with minimal openwork or surface decoration. However, during the Edo period (1603-1868), a time of relatively long peace, tsuba reached a zenith in quality and were noted for their soft metal artistry, becoming extremely decorative and less practical, and serving more as a status symbol. These were never intended for battle. The samurai, who formed a large and influential class, patronized the tsuba makers, who flourished in schools of artists with distinctive styles and who passed on the trade secrets to their lineage. Tsuba often have the name of their maker incised on either side of the hole for the blade handle. During the Muromachi period into the Edo period, groups of specialist sword guard makers came into being with a wide and varied decorative repertoire. The samurai owners of the tsuba usually passed them down to family members as heirlooms, wrapped in soft old brocade and stored in exquisite lacquered boxes. Sometimes they were decorated with family crests (mon), insignias or seals. Despite reaching new heights of ornamentation during the Edo period, it was not long after the restoration of power to the Emperor during the Meiji period (1868- 1912) that the wearing of swords became prohibited by an imperial decree in 1876. With the sword made redundant, the tsuba makers lost their samurai patrons and had to switch to mainly making metal knick knacks for the tourist trade. By the 20th century, brass tsuba were being turned out in great numbers by factories for use by the army. During the
Japanese tsuba sword guard in the shape of a Rakan (disciple of Buddha), signed Ryu Nusai � La gard du sabre japonaise, le tsuba en forme de Rakan (disciple de Boudha), Signee Ryu Nusai � copper, shakudoeyes and inner sleeve � Fred and Isabel Pollard Collection, AGGV 1962.150.001
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