Musashino Sukashi Tsuba with Sekigane 武蔵野透鐔

Tsuba (Sword Guard) “Musashino”｜Hand-Polished Openwork Iron Grass Motif with Copper Sekigane and Black Patina Finish

The “Musashino” (武蔵野) tsuba is an openwork iron guard (sukashi tsuba) inspired by the windswept grasslands of Musashino Plain — a poetic landscape long celebrated in Japanese art and literature. Flowing lines curve gracefully across the circular form, evoking the movement of autumn grasses under a gentle breeze.

Each curve is hand-cut with precision, creating a balance between strength and airiness that exemplifies the mastery of traditional metalwork. The surface is finished in a deep ni-kuro shiage (煮黒仕上げ) black patina, imparting a subdued, timeless luster. Copper sekigane (責金) inserts reinforce the nakago-ana, ensuring a precise fit and adding a warm contrast against the dark iron.

Elegant and meditative, the Musashino Sukashi Tsuba represents the harmony between nature and craftsmanship — a quiet tribute to simplicity, movement, and enduring grace.