Japan, a country that was geologically blessed with reserves of high-quality iron, became famous for the edged weapons they produced, most specifically the swords.  The craftsmen that utilized this iron were not limited to sword (blade) makers, armorers as well as craftsmen that specifically focused on the metal fittings that accompany the sword eventually became a separate thriving industry.  Although these fittings began as relatively humble utilitarian pieces, over time they grew more complex as innovation introduced new designs, alloys, and techniques.  This is particularly apparent in the period after Tokugawa Ieyasu took power in 1600 and the long peaceful period of the Edo began.  Even though the Edo was relatively peaceful there were still large standing armies of samurai who required the weapons and regalia associated with their class. 

During this period fittings like the tsuba (sword guard), fuchi-gashira (hilt collar and pommel respectively), menuki (ornament on the handle), and the kozuka handle and kogai (small knife and knot pick) that often accompanied the sword began to serve an additional purpose.  In the past craftsmen  focused (foremost) on the functionality of these pieces as hardware that was meant for battle, with the aesthetic element following second.  During the Edo when prolonged wars seemed to be a thing of the past many samurai, and well-to-do merchants, began to seek fittings that were not just functional, but equally (if not more) importantly also were a way to show off one’s sense of “style” and wealth.  Although more traditional, less ostentatious fittings were still being produced, many schools of metal smiths incorporated motifs with plants, animals, as well as supernatural beings of all kinds with a variety of colorful alloys.  Stories taken from well-known classic tales, battles of the past, the Buddhist cannon, and even imagery from modern forms of entertainment, like noh plays, were depicted on fittings.