Beautiful large iron Tosho tsuba made by one of the most foremost swordmakers in the world. Yoshindo Yoshihara is one of Japan’s most famous and talented sword smiths. He is a Tokyo Prefectural Living Cultural Asset, and that is one step below Living National Treasure. It is not widely known that he makes tsuba on occasion, and usually only by order. I ordered this tsuba earlier this year and just picked it up. It is a excellent example of a Tosho tsuba with ultra fine carving. The plate is rich and moist like any good tsuba should be. Finely hammered surface with ultra thin kasane. The sukashi of the Aizen Myoo and Fudo Myoo bonji are immaculate. It is a top grade tsuba and I personally have one in my own collection. In a custom fitted box, with Yoshindo’s personal sign for the hakogaki.

2012

Signed by gold in han seal of Yoshindo

82mm x 8.2mm x 2.1mm thick