During the Edo period, an era of prevailing peace, samurai had become the elite scholarly class of Japanese society. Yet, their swords remained an essential part of their lives—not merely as weapons but as symbols of their very identity. At the heart of this profound bond lay a seemingly small yet deeply significant element embedded in the sword’s structure: the tsuba.
This is the story of a tsuba that once belonged to a wise warrior, honoring its sword with the shape known as aoi-gata. Named after the hollyhock leaves that symbolize passion, its form was further enriched by the presence of inomé, or boar’s eyes, adorning its four corners. A refined artistic expression of the samurai’s fervent and untamed nature, these inomé were inspired by wild boars, known for their fearless charge toward their enemies. It is said that this tsuba, a silent witness to its warrior’s every breath, served as a constant reminder that courage was not merely about bold aggression but, at its core, required a deep sense of tranquility.
Astarte revives an ancient aoi-gata tsuba through contemporary interpretation. Each piece in the collection reflects the nobility of its wearer while embodying both bravery and balance. No longer affixed to swords, these modern-day tsuba now find their place on the body—becoming symbols where elegance and meaning unite.
