Shihō-bishi Iron Sukashi Tsuba 四方菱Tsuba (Sword Guard) Shih bishiHand Polished Iron Sukashi Tsuba with Geometric Diamond Motif and Traditional Black Patina Finish The Shih bishi () tsuba is a traditional iron sukashi tsuba featuring four interconnected diamond shapes arranged in perfect symmetry around the nakago ana. The diamond motif has long been associated with resilience, prosperity, and order in Japanese decorative arts, while its balanced four directional composition reflects

The central band is decorated with rich golden nashiji powder

and formality

lending the piece a calm

wrapped over hishigami (菱紙) in a traditional diamond pattern (菱組)

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) from high-carbon modern steel (高炭素現代鋼) in a monosteel construction called Maru-zukuri (丸造)

The saya (鞘) features raden-style lacquer (螺鈿塗)—a glossy black surface with fine reflective particles

Saya Lacquer (鞘塗):  Finished in kin-nashiji（金梨子地塗）

where a hardened steel jacket surrounds a softer core to achieve both resilience and cutting power

The overall presentation is warm

Folded Oroshigane Steel Shinken (真剣) | Silent Star Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Oroshigane (卸し金) Kobuse Blade (甲伏造) + TangGu (湯谷) Yusei Koshirae (幽星拵)

Menuki (目貫): Made from hakudo (白銅)

A practical and symbolic guard rooted in tradition