Tsuba Keyring

Description of the Product

Tsuba, or the hand guard plate of a Katana, is the most decorated part of this fine weapon. The Tsuba often has some type of fantastic beast, deity or powerful symbol pictured, either as a decoration but also as a charm. These miniature Tsubas are a good way to bring a piece of Japanese history and folklore into your life, and are an excellent gift for someone interested in eastern martial arts.

Choose from eight different motifs:
Snake
The snake is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. It symbolizes intelligence, gracefulness and materialism. These fantastic creatures appear in many religions, myths, legends and folk tales, often having half-human features or magical abilities such as shapeshifting.

Tiger
The tiger is also one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. Owing to its stalking and hunting abilities, the tiger used to represent the highest army general in the armies of Imperial China.

Guardian Lion
Chinese or Imperial guardian lions are a common representation of the lion in Asia. Statues of guardian lions have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy. They are believed to have protective powers.

Dragon
Dragons are legendary creatures in Asian mythology and folklore. They are a symbol of power, strength and good luck for those who are worthy.

Winter Bamboo
Because bamboo lasts through all seasons including the winter, it is frequently associated with immortality and perseverance. In Japan it is one of the Three Friends of Winter, together with pine and plum. Bamboo is also an almost universal symbol of good luck, friendship, fertility, and a protector against evil spirits.

Thunder
Raiden/Raijin is the god of lightning, thunder and storms in the Shinto religion and in Japanese mythology. He is typically depicted as a demon-looking spirit beating his drums to create thunder.

Great Wave
In the Taoist religion, water stands for intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness, and pliancy. However, an over-abundance of this element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the same way, water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land.

Three Monkeys
The three wise monkeys are a widely known image. The three monkeys sent by the gods as observers and messengers are: Kikazaru, the deaf monkey, covering his ears, hears no evil. Mizaru, the blind monkey, covering his eyes, sees no evil. Iwazaru, the dumb monkey, covering his mouth, speaks no evil. ?Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil? is a well-known proverb, although one whose interpretation can vary wildly across cultures.

• Size without chain approx. 3 cm x 3 cm
• Length with the chain and ring 10 cm
• Weight 24 g