The oval four-lobed iron plate is pierced with a twenty-three petal chrysanthemum bloom design. The ribs of the flower are inlaid in brass wire with stylized birds, and the rim is inlaid in flush brass wire in an interlocking keyfret pattern (rinzu). The design is repeated on the reverse. The edge is smoothly filed, probably for a missing rim cover, and some inlay is missing on both sides--height 8.6cm., width 8.4cm., thickness 4.25cm.
Lot Essay
The Saotome school marks around the central opening indicate that Kaga brass inlay has been applied to a Saotome plate.
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Japanese Swords & Sword Fittings from col Dr Walter Ames