| An Ensō-design tsuba attributed to the Kagamishi tradition. Kagamishi tsuba are made of yamagane (unrefined copper) and derive their name from their resemblance to traditional Japanese bronze mirrors. Because copper is relatively soft and less durable than iron, such tsuba are generally believed to have been intended for ceremonial rather than practical military use.Dating from the Muromachi to Momoyama periods, Kagamishi tsuba possess a distinctive archaic charm that reflects their great age and simple workmanship.The design depicts an ensō expressed through a series of concentric circles carved into the surface. The ensō, a circle without beginning or end, symbolizes completeness, harmony, and the boundless nature of the mind. In Zen Buddhism, it is regarded as the ultimate expression of truth and enlightenment, representing a state of spiritual freedom and inner peace as vast and unobstructed as the open sky.Passed the NBTHK Hozon Tosogu shinsa in 2025. |
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