Tiger and Bamboo Tsuba 竹に虎

Tsuba (Sword Guard) “Take ni Tora”｜Hand-Carved Shakudō Tiger and Bamboo Motif with Black Patina Finish

This round tsuba features a tiger and bamboo motif (Take ni Tora-zu), symbolizing courage, strength, and vigilance. The piece is crafted from shakudō (赤銅)—a refined copper–gold alloy—finished with a ni-kuro shiage (煮黒仕上げ) black patina that deepens its tone and highlights the engraved details.

The design is executed in katakiri-bori (片切彫) carving technique, where slanted chisel strokes create the illusion of brushwork. The tiger crouches under bamboo leaves, a classical composition in Edo-period sword fittings representing the balance between ferocity and restraint.