Iron Hikone School tsuba with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu. Theme of this tsuba is Mure Takamatsu. However the story is that of Minamoto Yoshitsune fight with Taira forces at Yashima island. Minamoto Yoshitsune managed to cross from mainland Japan to Shikoku island with a small force. From Shikoku they crossed on horses to Yashima island and made a night ride on the Taira camp. To appear as major force they burned everything on their way. It produced good results as Taira got scared of Minamoto and left their base on to the boats. However after some time they realised that it was not a whole Minamoto army but small force lead by Yoshitsune.
And I think this is an exact moment depicted on this tsuba. On the right we have Minamoto forces with Yoshitsune (gold maedate on his kabuto) together with his most trusted retainers Tsuginobu, Tadanobu, Benkei and Ise Saburo. On the boat Noritsune from Taira forces sending arrows towards Yoshitsune party.
Made in late edo period.
Size: 72 mm x 68 mm x 4 mm
