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Dragons have great importance in both Chinese and Japanese art. The Japanese dragon is certainly similar to the Chinese version though a few characteristics, such as the number of claws of the common dragon differ. The dragon has nine characteristics and nine times nine scales; nine being considered a lucky number. The dragon is also one of the signs of the zodiac and is associated strongly with water. “As an emblem the dragon represents both the male and female principle, the continuous changes and variations of life, as symbolized by its surroundings, therefore never finished, like the everlasting cycles of life” (Joly 1967:54-59).
The Goto school of metal working was established in the late fifteenth century, it continued to be an important group of metal workers until the eighteenth century without becoming known for making tsuba, mainly because the family did not make them except as personal favors or to present to the daimyo (lord). In the early part of the eighteenth century Goto Tsujo broke with family tradition and began to produce large numbers of tsuba, the family and school soon became well known for their beautiful and well made tsuba. The family/ school is also well known for being the first to use chasing in relief to decorate sword furniture, as well as most likely being the first school to use softer metals and alloys for sword fittings, and perfecting and creating styles of backgrounds for sword furniture (Okabe-Kakuya 1909:35-37, Gunsaulus1923:60-61).
Shakudo (literally “red copper”) is a metal alloy that was invented and used exclusively by the Japanese. There are fifteen grades of Shakudo, all are primarily copper with an inclusion of at least four percent gold, and oftentimes small amounts of other metals. When cast, Shakudo is a dark copper color but it is most often treated with a boiling or “pickle” solution which results in a rich, velvety black color with a violet sheen (Gunsaulus 1923:35-36, Rucker 1924:xxiii-xxiv).
(Commentary by Rob Nalewajk)
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