Tsuba from a giftshop

[nihon]

Whilst traveling in Japan, I got this nice edo period tsuba from a souvenir shop in Kanazawa, Japan. Not sure what type of style or what it is depicting all I know it is a openwork tsuba. Any information is appreciated

[Spartancrest]

https://www.samuraim...samurai-sword-t-618/    Edo period "nawame" rim [rope pattern]

 

 Description
 This oval-shaped iron Tsuba has a symmetrical design. It is composed of mainly two motifs: a flower-like object with four petals, and some vegetable or plant pattern arranged in a total of four on the left and right sides of this Tsuba. We estimate this plant is the Myōga (茗荷). It is known as Japanese ginger and was brought to Japan with Shōga (生姜, ginger). According to a theory, Shōga used to be called the Senoka (兄香/せのか), and Myōga used to be called the Menoka (妹香/めのか) in ancient times. It is said that these pronunciations were changed with time. Myōga has the same pronunciation as another word, “Myōga (冥加),” which means divine protection. Therefore, this motif has been treated as a good-luck design. It is seen at shrines and temples in various parts of Japan. Also, it is quite a popular motif for family crests. Such auspicious meanings might have inspired this Tsuba’s design. 

 

The shop should have given you this information. 

 

Your tsuba is not a million miles different to this one.

 

Or even this one, just different motifs top and bottom. https://www.nipponto...swords9/TB202783.htm

 

https://www.touken-h...gawa.jp/item/YTC-11/  this almost identical with papers.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

I am a little confused how a shop sold that identical tsuba in Tokyo, yet you bought it in Kanazawa over 400 km away?

 

[nihon]

The shop was a branch of the samurai museum in Kanazawa. Thanks for the information given 

[ROKUJURO]

SHOAMI style.