Lot Essay
From the quality of the plate and the design it is possible to attribute this guard to Kariganeya Hikobei (fl. 1650) or at least to the Ko Akasaka artists.
Details
AN AKASAKA SCHOOL TSUBA
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1675)
The oval iron plate is pierced with a design of abstract flower blossoms at the top and bottom and bars on each side. These connect to a plum branch and a bamboo branch that form the hitsu-ana. Each branch has some surface carving. The plate has a round rim and edge which has some powerful running iron bones. The tsuba is not of three-plate construction--height 7.9cm., width 7.7cm., thickness at center 7.25mm., at edge 6.75mm.
EDO PERIOD (CIRCA 1675)
The oval iron plate is pierced with a design of abstract flower blossoms at the top and bottom and bars on each side. These connect to a plum branch and a bamboo branch that form the hitsu-ana. Each branch has some surface carving. The plate has a round rim and edge which has some powerful running iron bones. The tsuba is not of three-plate construction--height 7.9cm., width 7.7cm., thickness at center 7.25mm., at edge 6.75mm.