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Plugged/filled a beginners question

KjetilK

By KjetilK
in Tosogu

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KjetilK Rookie

KjetilK

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Hello all. I'm just in the beginning face of collecting anything nihonto, and I have a tsuba-related question.

 

Why is the kogai-ana and kozuka-ana of a tsuba sometimes filled/plugged with silver or gold? Is it purely decorative, or does it have some practical function?

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Guest Simon Rowson

Guest Simon Rowson

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Hi Kjetil,

 

One or both ana were filled with gold, shakudo, copper or lead if they were unecessary for the sword to which the tsuba was mounted (ie: it didn't have a kodzuka and/or kogai).

 

As tsuba would often be re-mounted on other swords later, the plugging of each ana was actually done with two pieces, inserted from each side and fixed in place with pitch or resin. This made them a lot easier to remove if the tsuba was subsequently used on a sword equipped with kogai or kodzuka.

 

All the best,

Simon

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