Antique Japanese Samurai Sword Guard Tsuba Fukurin Rim Ko-Kinko Style STO88

Antique Japanese Samurai Sword Guard Tsuba with Fukurin Rim – Ko-Kinko Style, Tate-Yasurime Surface (80g)

This is a fine antique Japanese samurai sword tsuba, or handguard, in a Ko-Kinko style. It features a simple yet powerful round form, a beautifully textured tate-yasurime surface, and a protective metal fukurin rim.

The overall impression is quiet, austere, and highly tactile, reflecting the refined character of old Japanese sword fittings.

Design & Craftsmanship

Fukurin Rim
The edge of the tsuba is fitted with a protective and decorative metal rim known as fukurin. The fukurin has a slight natural play due to age and construction, but it remains securely attached. This subtle detail adds an interesting tactile quality to the piece without affecting its overall integrity.

Classic Tate-Yasurime Surface
The face of the tsuba is decorated with vertical yasurime, or file marks. These sharp linear textures give the surface a clean, architectural appearance while also creating a strong sense of age and craftsmanship.

Rich Patinated Metal Surface
The body appears to be made from a patinated copper alloy, possibly old bronze or shibuichi-style metal. It has a deep charcoal-brown tone with areas of natural oxidation and warm undertones, giving it a dignified antique appearance.

Historical Sword-Fitting Form
The tsuba has a classic round shape with one hitsu-ana for a sword accessory. Around the central nakago-ana, there are visible tagane-ato and adjustment marks, showing that it was once fitted to an actual Japanese sword.

Specifications

Material: Patinated copper alloy, possibly old bronze or shibuichi-style metal, with fukurin rim
Dimensions: 6.18 × 6.18 cm / 2.43 × 2.43 in
Thickness: 0.5 cm / 0.20 in
Weight: 80 g / 0.17 lbs
Classification: Ko-Kinko style

Condition

Excellent antique condition. The tsuba retains a rich, dark patina with natural signs of age and use. The fukurin rim remains intact and securely attached, with slight natural play consistent with age and construction. There are authentic oxidation marks, surface wear, and old adjustment marks around the central opening, adding to its historical character.