Inscription: Tsuchiya Yasuchika of Shōnai
Early to mid Edo period
Donated by the Homma family
This tsuba is believed to have been forged by Tsuchiya Yasuchika I (1670–1744). Born to a samurai family in the Shōnai district, he later abandoned his class, determined to earn a living from metalcraft. He first studied under Satō Yoshihisa, who learned the techniques of the Nara school of swordmaking; Yasuchika married Yoshihisa’s daughter and moved to Edo. He eventually became known as a master craftsperson of the Nara school. Successive generations of his descendants took on the name of Tsuchiya Yasuchika.