Impractical tsuba

[Spartancrest]

Has anyone got any information on this totally impractical sword guard? Any ideas where the image can be found? 

Is it a novelty or was it meant to sell to tourists? 

Thanks in advance.

[Fuuten]

That depends on what you use it for though, maybe you could hide a piece of paper or a coin in it and lock it somehow. Otherwise it was just a tourist or showpiece.

 

Shame the quality of the photo isn't that great.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Hi Dale , it is in the catalogue of an exhibition held at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery in 1964 entitled Arms and Armour of Ancient Japan . Robert Haynes was one of those who put the exhibition together.

Ian Brooks

[SalaMarcos]

Well, if the tsuba can cover a "loose" cut, then its practical, other considerations is if it's comfortable to hold it in a sword or if can fitt well in any koshirae. 

I know I'm very weird, both here and in Japan, and such legends like Torigoye will hate me if was alive...but I think tsuba from Edo period (or even Momoyama) could consider a work of art independent from the nihontō, and could appreciate and delight like a painting. Also I must admit that I'm a kinkō lover, and an Edo period lover, as I'm also a Barroque lover regarding Western art.