Tsuba And Kozuka depicting the Battle of Yashima

Edo period (1615-1868) 

Nanako Shakudo Tsuba And Kozuka depicting the Battle of Yashima on 22 March 1185
(originally described as Depicting The Battle Of Uji)

Mumei

The tsuba of naga-marugata shape, kozuka hitsu-ana, finely worked on a nanako (ring punched) ground with shakudo, silver, and gold takazogan and takabori; depicting a samurai on horseback standing on the banks of a river, pointing his bow towards an oncoming ship. The reverse with a pine tree and chidori (plover).

The kozuka finely worked in gold and shakudo takazogan, depicting a samurai riding his horse across turbulent waters near a coastal bank with a tall pine tree. The reverse gilt with nekogaki (cat scratches).

Height 6.6 cm (tsuba) 

Length 6.1 cm (tsuba), 9.7 cm (kozuka)

Weight 85.8 g (tsuba), 34.8 g (kozuka)

Story
This set depicts a scene from the Gempei War (1180-1185) at the battle of Yashima on 22 March 1185. (Full description here).
Extra comment here

From “Legend In Japanese Art”. Page 126 319. 

HOMMA MAGOSHIRO SHIGEUJI was an archer in the army of Nitta Yoshisada. While the army was awaiting the attack of Takauji’s fleet at Wada no Misaki (Minatogawa) he espied a sea-fowl with a fish in his claws. 

He then cried to Takauji : “You must be wearied doing nothing for so long, I will give you some fish,’’ and with an arrow he shot the bird so that the fish fell on deck and the bird in the sea. 

There are several variants of this story. Sometimes the bird carries a letter, as it is also said that Magoshiro shot the bird with an arrow through the head, fastened to it a strip of paper bearing his name, and sent it on another arrow right into the boat of Ashikaga Takauji.

Note: The bird is at the top of the image, and appears to be carrying something (a fish, or a letter) as the archer is aiming for it. The arrow being fired is a type that was used to cut ropes, so it fits the theme exactly.