SIGNED KYOTO JU KOMAI SEI, MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Komai Otojiro (1842-1917) was originally a maker of sword fittings specializing in gold inlay on iron sword guards in the style of certain makers in Higo province, and also in the Heian school (Kyoto) which flourished from the 17th century onwards. The technique was applied to richly decorated pieces using gold and silver level inlay on pieces sometimes enhanced with high relief decorations in other coloured metals. His son Seibi, or Otojiro II (1883-1970) continued with the technique using gold inlay on black-patinated iron.