A KOBAYASHI SCHOOL TSUBA

Details
A KOBAYASHI SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1850), SIGNED TOUNSHI AND SEALED HARUTOSHI

The shibuichi plate is of a deep gray color and is carved in high relief and inlaid in gold and other soft metals with a Chinese style rock garden with flowers and clouds. The hitsu-ana is formed as a cave entrance. The reverse is similarly decorated with a gold sun emerging from behind a cloud at the top and the cave entrance on the right--height 6.4cm., width 5.4cm., thickness 4mm.

Lot Essay

This tsuba is in the style of Goto Ichijo but the name Tounshi would lead one to suppose that the artist was a member of the Tanaka school. In fact, Harutoshi was a member of the Komori or Kobayashi family (he wrote his name both ways). Most of his work is decorated in line carving which simulates brush drawing (katakiribori). This guard demostrates his versatility.