Tsuba in the Maru Gata (round) shape. Design by Yaksha To Musha (夜叉と武者), rounded border of Maru Mimi, in Sukashi (openings).
This tsuba represents a battle Yaksha To Musha (夜叉と武者). Yaksha (or Yasha) Yaksha is the name of a large class of generally benevolent nature-spirits who are the guardians of natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology, and have a dual personality.
Here is a samurai in armor facing him. It is an allegory of heroic tales of heroic warriors conquering ghosts, similar to those produced by the Soten school in Hikone (next to Lake Biwa), from the mid-17th century.
