Lot 8
8
A HEIANJO SCHOOL TSUBA

Details
A HEIANJO SCHOOL TSUBA
MOMOYAMA PERIOD (1573-1600)

The iron plate of rounded trapezoid shape is dished from the edge to the center. The surface is decorated in low relief and inlaid in brass with a design of a rabbit and a grape vine. The reverse is similarly decorated with another rabbit beneath a vine. The semicircular indentations at the edge of the nakago-ana were purposely applied by the artist as his signature--height 7.9cm., width 7.5cm., thickness at center 3.75mm., at edge 4.75mm.

Lot Essay

This is a fine example of the Heianjo type of brass inlay tsuba that was manufactured in Kyoto during the Momoyama period. The plate has the appearance of Saotome workmanship and the cast brass inlay is the work of the last Onin masters. A very rare feature of this guard is the much worn sheet gold which is still retained on some areas of the brass inlay that it originally completely covered.