Chrysanthemum crane Tsuba, 17th century (CH 18341891)

1650

Tsuba. This Kyo-sukashi (Kyoto openwork) style tsuba takes the form of a tsuru maru (crane circle). At the center is the nakago-ana, an opening through which the sword passes, with traces of sekigane (plugs added to fit the tsuba to a sword) made of shakudo (a soft copper and gold alloy). The surrou