A Kawari-Gata Yagami School Tsuba

SIGNED HISHU YAGAMI MITSUHIRO, LATE EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details
A Kawari-Gata Yagami School Tsuba
Signed Hishu Yagami Mitsuhiro, late Edo period (19th century)
The oval iron plate formed as a writhing dragon in maru sukashi-bori, details in gold zogan, kawari mimi, with a wood box
2 7/8in. (7.3cm.), mimi 6.5mm.
Literature
Lundgren Collection, no. 195

Lot Essay

The details of the dragon, including the scales are realistically carved. The face and claws show powerful movement within the limited oval shape.

The Yagami are mostly recognised for their carving of numerous monkeys, an idea they copied from Namban tsuba, but adding much greater detail. They worked in the Nagasaki region, often exchanging designs and technique with Satsuma workers and occasionally, producing their own version of the celebrated Satsuma natamame [beans].

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