When we examine the artistry of the samurai sword guard (tsuba), we are looking
Backed by an official NBTHK Hozon (Worthy of Preservation) certificate from Heisei 30 (2018), this tsuba represents a beautiful duality of Japanese mythology and natural landscapes, but it hides a very specific, rare detail that sets it apart from the rest.
When we examine the artistry of the samurai sword guard (tsuba), we are looking at a masterclass in storytelling through metallurgy. This stunning octagonal iron piece by Sunagawa Masanori (砂川正矩) is a perfect example of why these functional guards are revered as high art. Backed by an official NBTHK Hozon (Worthy of Preservation) certificate from Heisei 30 (2018), this tsuba represents a beautiful duality of Japanese mythology and natural landscapes, but it hides a very specific, rare detail that sets it apart from the rest. The Omote (Front): A Break in Tradition Carved in deep, expressive relief, the front of the tsuba features a fierce dragon twisting through a turbulent sky of swirling clouds (Unryu-zu). But if you look closely at the dragon's gripping talon, you will notice something highly unusual: it has four claws. In traditional East Asian iconography, the number of claws on a dragon carries heavy symbolic weight: Five claws: Strictly reserved for the Chinese Emperor. Three claws: The standard depiction for Japanese dragons. Four claws: Often associated with nobility, high-ranking officials, or specific mythological lineages (sometimes linked to Korean dragons or Chinese nobility). Seeing a four-clawed dragon on a Japanese tsuba is a brilliant rarity. It suggests the artist, Masanori, was intentionally playing with imperial iconography or commissioning this for a samurai of a very specific, elevated status. It makes an already beautiful carving an absolute conversational centerpiece. The Ura (Reverse): The Sacred Coast Flipping the tsuba reveals a stark, grounding contrast to the chaotic energy of the dragon. The reverse side depicts a meticulously carved seascape. Crashing waves break against rugged coastal crags, highlighting two prominent peaks joined by what appears to be a sacred shimenawa rope. This is a classic homage to Meoto Iwa (the Married Couple Rocks) in Mie Prefecture, representing the union of the creator kami, Izanagi and Izanami. The juxtaposition is poetic: the heavens above, ruled by the fierce, four-clawed dragon, and the earth below, anchored by the sacred, eternal rocks weathering the sea. At a Glance Swordsmith/Maker: Sunagawa Masanori (砂川正矩) Material: Iron (Tetsu) Shape: Octagonal (Hakkaku-gata) Motif: Cloud Dragon (Unryu) & Sacred Rocks (Meoto Iwa) Authentication: NBTHK Hozon Token (Preservation paper, issued August 2018) This piece is more than just a hand guard; it’s a beautifully preserved narrative of myth, status, and masterful ironwork! NBTHK Hozon Token.
Masanori Sunagawa
正矩Masanori Sunagawa (正矩) was a distinguished *tsubako* (sword-fitting maker) and the fourth-generation head of the Sunagawa school, active in Edo during the mid-19th century **Bakumatsu** era [10]. His lineage is closely associated with the **Bushū** and **Itō** traditions, reflecting a stylistic heritage that prioritized refined ironwork and intricate carving techniques [14]. Masanori is recognized by collectors for his technical proficiency in creating *tsuba* that captured the decorative aesthetic of the late Edo period while maintaining the structural integrity required of functional armor [2], [10]. Though he operated during the twilight of the samurai era, his work remains a documented fixture in scholarly catalogs and major auctions, representing the final, sophisticated flourishing of the Sunagawa school before the Meiji transition [10], [14].