Tsuba Maru Gata (round) type, with the design of Matsu Sukashi 松 透 (Openwork pine), straight rounded border Maru Mimi, with a Kozuka and Kogai Ana.

• Material: Iron, smoked black finish
• Dimensions: 81 mm x 79 mm x 4.5 mm
• Weight: 96 g

This Tsuba is a sukubaku 透鍔 (openwork pattern) representing a pine tree with magnificent age-old branches, known as sangai-matsu 三蓋松 (three covered pines), the odd patterns being symbols of auspiciousness.
The pine tree is considered a symbol of longevity and perseverance, even immortality, because it bears green leaves all year round. It has established itself in Japanese life as a model of good fortune. This is one of the reasons why it is used in the construction of Shinto temples.
In Shinto, the Kami (deities) descend from the sky through the branches of pine trees to intervene in the world of mortals. The pine tree is the link between men and the gods.

This Tsuba pattern is called 'Tomi No Matsu', and is a great classic of the Hayashi 林 school of Higo province. The Hayashi school was one of the 4 major local 'Higo Kinko' schools of sword making during the Edo period. This school was founded by Hayashi Matashichi (1613 – 1699). He was originally a gun maker in Owari Province (Southeast of Nagoya). He then became a craftsman for the Hosokawa clan of Higo, Kyushu. Coming from Owari, he was strongly influenced by the 'Owari Sukashi-Tsuba' style of tsuba, with very fine and delicate opening work that can be found on his production.