Are the dragon tsuba on these katana functional hand guards or decorative additions?
Updated Feb 2026
The dragon tsuba on these katana are functional fittings installed as integral components of the sword's construction. A tsuba serves to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade during handling - it acts as a stop between the grip and the blade - and the dragon tsuba in this collection fulfill this function the same as any other properly sized and fitted hand guard. They are made from metal alloy and fitted through the habaki and against the handle assembly in the standard manner. The dragon design adds ornamental character but does not compromise the fitting's structural role. On a display sword that is primarily handled for examination and cleaning rather than active use, the tsuba's protective function is secondary to its visual contribution, but it is present. The ornamental and functional aspects coexist in the same fitting, which is consistent with how historically significant tsuba were made throughout the Japanese sword tradition.