A HIGO HIRATA SCHOOL TSUBA

Details

A HIGO HIRATA SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1625)

The rounded oval copper plate is well hammered and has three large cloudlike apertures. The plate is decorated with inlaid wire shakudo and flying bird motifs. The design repeats itself on the reverse--height 7.4cm., width 7.1cm., thickness at center 5mm., at edge 4mm.

Double wood storage box. Inner box with inscription by Sato Kanzan, dated autumn, 1974.

Accompanied by a tokubetsu kicho certificate issued by the N.B.T.H.K., no. 241, dated April 15, 1971.

Provenance

Shibata Kodan collection

Lot Essay

This tsuba can be attributed to Hirata Hikozo. Although this design is not recorded in early Hirata work, the hammering of the plate and the quality of the inlay indicate that it was made by a member of the school. Shakudo wire or nunome inlay on copper or brass plate is often found in the work of the Higo Hirata school.