The Aesthetics of the Samurai: Japanese Sword Fittings (Tosogu)

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For centuries, the Japanese sword has been admired not only as a highly effective weapon but also as a beautiful work of art. While attention often focuses on the blade itself, the fittings (tosogu)—including tsuba, menuki, kozuka, fuchigashira, kogai, and koshirae—were equally essential. They symbolized the samurai’s status, taste, and spiritual outlook.

At gallery youyou, we aim to share knowledge about these remarkable works of art. Through this blog, we will introduce the world of sword fittings, offering points for appreciation, collecting advice, and highlights from our gallery.

What Are Tosogu, Sword Fittings?

The outer mounting of a sword is called koshirae (拵) or toso (刀装). The individual metal parts that reinforce and compose this mounting are collectively known as tosogu (sword fittings). In a broad sense, tosogu includes tachi fittings as well, but more commonly refers to the metal parts of a uchigatana goshirae (koshirae): the tsuba, menuki, kogai, kozuka, and fuchigashira, along with other components such as the kojiri (scabbard end cap), kaeritsuno (hook fitting), uragawara (fitting under the hilt), and koikuchi (scabbard mouth).

Today, the term tosogu is generally used to describe works produced from the Kamakura period onward, beginning with iron mon sukashi tsuba called Ko-tosho. The tsuba was originally indispensable to prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade during use. Yet beyond this practical function, it became a medium of samurai aesthetics, embodying what might be called a unique sense of “samurai dandyism.”

From a single tsuba, one can often discern its stylistic school, characteristics, and even the aesthetic sensibilities of its time. For example, the robust Owari tsuba with tsuchime (hummer marks) enhanced by yakite (placed in a fire to partially melt the surface) or the graceful works of Edo-period artisans, both exemplify this richness. Expressions varied widely: bold sukashi in iron, inlays of gold, silver, or brass, and designs inspired by poetry and classical tales.

Continuing a Tradition of Research

The activities of our gallery are grounded in the research of Ito Mitsuru, a collector and scholar who has loved tosogu and devoted more than fifty years to the study of tosogu. He is also the author of works of Higo kinko, such as “Nishigaki”, “Hirata・Shimizu”, and “Hayashi・Kamiyoshi”. Building on this foundation, gallery youyou seeks to share the fascination of sword fittings with a wider audience.

Future topics in the blog will include:

• How to recognize different schools and styles of sword fittings (Sukashi tsuba, Ko-Kinko, Ko-Mino, Goto family, Nobuie, Kaneie, Higo kinko, and Machibori kinko)—so-called Kantei points.

• Characteristics of Jidai goshirae and the development of Higo goshirae.

• The meaning of motifs drawn from classics such as the Kokin Wakashū and Tales of Ise, reflecting the cultivation of the samurai.

• Collectors’ advice, such as proper methods of preservation.

• Updates and news from our gallery.

For Collectors and Enthusiasts

We hope this blog will serve as both a source of knowledge and enjoyment for long-time collectors as well as those encountering tosogu for the first time. Articles will range from specialized studies of fittings to reflections on samurai aesthetics. We will also introduce artworks proudly presented by gallery youyou, allowing readers to experience the richness that emerges from the interplay of scholarship and collecting.

We invite you to join us in exploring the aesthetics of the samurai. Our next article will feature “The announcement of the book, Nobuie”. Until next time, stay tosogu-minded : )

References:

Sasano Masayuki, Tosogu no Kigen (The Origins of Sword Fittings), Sukashi Tsuba

Museum Tsuru, Japanese sword of Samurai Spirit

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