Lot 62
62
AN UMETADA SCHOOL TSUBA

Details
AN UMETADA SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1650), SIGNED UMETADA

The rectangular brass plate tanto guard is composed of four gourds joined by their tops to the seppa-dai and joined to each other at the other end by brass bars decorated with a woven mat design. Each gourd is decorated in flush inlaid gold, shakudo, copper and silver with a design of grape leaves and tendrils--height 6.2cm., width 4.7cm., thickness at center 5.5mm., thickness of the gourds 9.5mm.

Lot Essay

The workmanship of the inlay and the carving of this guard is remarkable. The maker of this guard appears to be no more than a generation after Umetada Myoju (1558-1631). The signature is close to that master's style and it is probable that it was made by one of his students.