A YAMAKICHIBEI TSUBA

Details

A YAMAKICHIBEI TSUBA
MOMOYAMA PERIOD (1573-1600), SIGNED YAMAKICHIBEI

The iron six-lobed plate has a slightly raised edge and many fine iron bones in the rim. The web is hammered and carved with deep grooves which represent the lines which connect the stars of a constellation. These stars are depicted as pierced circles. The hitsu-ana appear to be original but the shape may have been changed--height 6cm., width 5.8cm., thickness at center 3.5mm., at edge 4.25mm.

Wood storage box with inscription.

Provenance

Prince Ichijo Sanetaka
Joseph U. Seo, New York

Lot Essay

Although most Yamakichibei swordguards in the West are thought to be the work of Iwata Norisuke II, a few are genuine. This example has many features in its favor and can safely be attributed to Yamakichibei I (1575-1615). The inscription on the cover of this box identifies the piece as having once been in the collection of Prince Ichijo.