Step 2 of 7

The nakago-ana

Related Images

  • seppa-dai in comparable tsuba - Mandarinmansion.png
  • seppa-dai in comparable tsuba 2 - Mandarinmansion.png

Japanese sword guards contain a central wedge shaped hole known as nakago-ana (中心孔), which is where the tang of the blade would be inserted. In this tsuba the nakago-ana contains punch corners, meaning that it has been mounted on a blade.