Soten School tsuba with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu. It is not signed however NBTHK attributes it to "Mogarashi", which is a narrower attribution than "Hikone-Bori". While "Hikone-bori" is a style of tsuba, "Mogarashi" name refers to mainline School students or Kitagawa family members from which Soten School emerged.
It is worth adding that NBTHK does not give "Soten" School attributions. They refer to this type of tsuba as "Hikone" or "Hikone-bori" from a place were they were initially made. However outside of Japan more commonly we call them Soten Tsuba, and this is a name I am using.
Tsuba decorated with Mt. Kurama, this mystical place located North of Kyoto is associated with many deity, magical beings and holy spirits. This tsuba depicts Minamoto no Yoshitsune during training with Tengu. When he was 10, Yoshitsune was placed under care of the monks of Kurama temple. According to stories he did not learn his craft form monks but from magical beings, called Tengu. They taught him swordsmanship, tactics and magic. Some ninja schools also claim to learn their secrets straight from Tengu.
Tsuba made of iron and decorated with gold, silver, shibuichi and yamagane inlay. With gold or gold iroe fukurin and hitsu ana plugs.
Made in Edo Period.
Size: 80 mm x 75 mm x 4,5 mm
With custom made hard wood box.
