A Dragon in the Clouds Tsuba Unsigned Yasuchika Tsuchiya

This tsuba engraved a dragon rising into the sky to make rain was made by Yasuchika Tsuchiya.

From ancient time, people have respected the dragon as a sacred animal in China, because the dragon is believed to be the bringer of rain and good opportunity. It usually lives in the water, however, when the time has come, it makes the sky cloudy, causing it to rain and it rises high into the sky.

These features made the dragon a symbol of a successful leap and it was often used as the symbol of Emperor.
Many folk stories related to Shakara Ryuo, one of the Hachidai Ryuo , or Eight Great Dragon Kings, still remain in Japan.

About Yasuchika Tsuchiya

Yasuchika Tsuchiya is a metalworker born in Syonai or Yamagata Prefecture in the northern part of Japan and is one of the famous members of Nara school. In Edo period, from the end of 17c to early 18c, Genroku Culture were developed by townsmen and various arts letters and culture prospered. The Genroku era is a time of affluence, peacefulness and tranquilness. People’s demands has changed, so new type of tsubas such as unique, free and easy one were widespread. And above all, Yasuchika Tsuchiya belonging to Nara school was popular.

You can find the dragon inscribed in this Unryuzu tsuba mature, because of his horns and scales. When it comes to dragons, we imagine vicious, strong and powerful animal, however, the one made by Yasuchika is somewhat earthy, humorous, and warm, which attracts a great number of people for long time.