Nerikawa (leather) tsuba represent among the earliest traditions of tsuba craftsmen.  In early times, they were very practical things, often consisting of 3-5 thin layers of hardened leather, lacquered and held together by a fukurin.  In later periods, nerikawa tsuba among being quite rare, were often quite technical and visually appealing.

This tsuba was intended for use on a tachi and consists of 4 layers of hardended leather which have been carved and assembled to mimic a classic aoi tachi tsuba with o-seppa.  The surface is black lacquered.  Two mon are executed in a brownish lacquer on both sides of the tsuba -- the most prevalent being a bamboo leaf mon, as well as a 3-bar within a hexagon mon. 

It is very hard to photograph or scan the tsuba due to the highly reflective lacquer, but the images provided should illustrate both mon styles, and the construction of the leather plates to resemble a tachi tsuba.  Two hitsu ana were subsequently added and then plugged with patinated copper.

This tsuba is very rare and well preserved for the age.  The vast majority of preserved nerikawa tsuba late to the late Edo period.  This one is considerably older, technically complex and is skillfully lacquered with the two mon.   It would make a nice discussion point in anyone's collection, and you would likely not see another such tsuba for years.

Momoyama to early Edo Period (ca 1590 - 1650)      8.0 x 8.0 x 0.4 cm.

 

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