UNSIGNED, EARLY EDO PERIOD (17TH CENTURY)

The Akasaka smiths came from Kyoto, in the Kanei period (1624-1644), to Edo and Akasaka. Tadamasa was the first to flourish. The design and type of iron with pointed seppa dai is indicative of the first generation.

For a similar example with a design of catfish and bamboo, see Sasano, M, Sukashi tsuba, (Kyuryudo, Tokyo, 1993), no. 207. Mr Sasano states that the meaning of catfish and bamboo is unclear.