Lot Essay
The first generation Kanshiro was born in 1613 in Kokura, Buzen and became a student of Hirata Hikozo. He moved to Higo at the age of 20 and inherited the family business from the third Hirata master. Kanshiro's iron sukashi tsuba are often similar to Matashichi, although by contrast, his soft metal work in kawari-gane, shinchu and copper display a strong influence of Hirata. The fuchi-kashira of Kanshiro are again different but of original design (Kanshiro fuchi).
According to the study of Japanese monsho, kiri is a motif based on auspicious Chinese ideology. In Japan, in the early Heian period, during the reign of the Emperor Saga (809-823), the kiri motif was in use. Later it evolved into the mon of the Imperial family, being bestowed on the Ashikaga and Oeda families by the Emperor Godaigo (1318-1339).
For a similar example by the first Nishigaki Kanshiro, see Sasano, M., Sukashi Tsuba, (Kyuryudo, Tokyo, 1993), p. 293, no. 260.
According to the study of Japanese monsho, kiri is a motif based on auspicious Chinese ideology. In Japan, in the early Heian period, during the reign of the Emperor Saga (809-823), the kiri motif was in use. Later it evolved into the mon of the Imperial family, being bestowed on the Ashikaga and Oeda families by the Emperor Godaigo (1318-1339).
For a similar example by the first Nishigaki Kanshiro, see Sasano, M., Sukashi Tsuba, (Kyuryudo, Tokyo, 1993), p. 293, no. 260.