Tsuba with leaves, flowers and fruits of luffa (Luffa cylindrica). The Japanese name is "chinese gourd", To uri (唐瓜) or "string gourd", Ito uri / hechima (糸瓜).
This plant was introduced to Japan from China during the Muromachi period. Its fibres were used as a sponge, to make cushions, and to line foot-wear (zori). The most important role played the luffa water - hechima sui. It has been used as a suppressing coughing medicine, and as a skin lotion.
No inscription. Style - Nara.
Age - Edo.
Iron, iroe zogan with copper, gold and silver, taka bori.
Nagamaru gata, maru mimi; 6,9 х 6,2 x 0,4 cm.
hechima zu tetsu ji nagamaru gata taka bori iroe zogan maru mimi
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