"Cut Iron Tsuba. Gold Inlay. Legend Of Jo And Uba. Japan Edo Period. 18-19th Century."
Tsuba in cut and chiseled iron, details inlaid in solid gold. The characters are excessively in relief, thickness of the tsuba 4.8 mm and 9.6 mm for the characters. Diameter: 76mm. Decor representing Jo and Uba with their broom and rake under a fir tree. It refers to the legend of 2 lovers who, united for life, were very happy and together became very old. They died the same day at the same time. Their spirit lives in 2 old pines, one in Sumi-Yoshi and one on Taka-Sago beach; on full moon nights, their spirits reincarnate on this beach and they sweep the pine needles. Symbol of eternal marital happiness. Edo period of Japan. 19th century or before.