A HIRATA SCHOOL TSUBA

Details
A HIRATA SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1725), ATTRIBUTED TO HIRATA NARIKADO

The rounded square iron plate has a raised and rounded edge and rim. The surface is decorated with gold nunome and gold and enamel designs. The web is pierced with a design of arrow points at the four corners and loops at the top and bottom of the seppa-dai area. The plate is inlaid with abstract crest motifs of shippo and gold cloisons in typical Hirata style. There is a similar design on the reverse. The inside edge of the hitsu-ana is inlaid in gold--height 8.3cm., width 8.2cm., thickness at center 4.75mm., at edge 7mm.

Double wood storage box. Inner box with inscription by Sato Kanzan, dated summer, 1973.

Accompanied by a tokubetsu kicho certificate issued by the N.B.T.H.K., no. 0002, dated October 4th, 1972.
Provenance
Hotel Drouot, Paris, March 23, 1970, lot 396.

Lot Essay

The tsuba has many characteristics of other well-known Hirata examples. It also contains rarely seen elements in its design, such as the flush gold inlay and the many colors in the cloisonné. Hirata Narikado (1670 - 1750/64) was the son of Shigekata and was the fifth master of the Hirata school.