‘Takeda’ Shingen tsuba

[kyushukairu]

An iron Shingen tsuba, with the ‘mukade’ style brass wire inlay. There is some controversy concerning the origin of these tsuba. One source suggests that the mukade design represents the banner of Takeda Shingen which depicted a mukade, and that these tsuba were worn by Takeda Shingen’s elite troops to denote their status. However, no connection to Takeda has ever been proven. This tsuba is quite unique insofar as it bears the kamon of the Takeda clan. Anyone who is familiar with Shingen tsuba and the Takeda kamon will immediately make the connection to Takeda Shingen, and in this regard, this tsuba is quite clever. The ura is perfectly symmetrical, with four Takeda mon among four ‘mukade’. On the omote, is one Takeda mon with a gunbai (war fan) which Takeda Shingen is usually depicted holding.

£325 ono

 

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[kyushukairu]