A YOSHIOKA SCHOOL TSUBA

Details

A YOSHIOKA SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1775), SIGNED YOSHIOKA INABA [NO] SUKE

The solid silver plate is in the form of an oak leaf with an acorn in the bottom center and some leaf stems and scroll work. The surface of the leaves is in nanako and line carving throughout--height 6.4cm., width 6.3cm., thickness 4.5mm.

Wood storage box with inscription to Dr. Compton by Honnami Nisshu, dated May, 1968.

Lot Essay

The design of this tsuba, based on a family crest, seems to be a hidden version of the Ikeda family butterfly mon. A solid silver plate at this date is extremely unusual as both gold and silver were strictly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate. This guard dates from the period of Yoshioka Shigehiro (fl. 1750-1770) or Yoshioka Terutsugu (1761-1848).