A Yamagane Tachi Kanagushi Tsuba

UNSIGNED, MOMOYAMA PERIOD (LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY)

細節
A Yamagane Tachi Kanagushi Tsuba
Unsigned, Momoyama period (late 16th/early 17th Century)
The mokkogata migaki-ji plate decorated with peony flowers and plants in gold tokin and etched, the four corners pierced in inome, parts of the flower in kintokin, rounded dote mimi
2 7/8in. (7.4cm.), thickness 2mm., mimi 9mm.
出版
Lundgren Collection, no. 10

拍品專文

Tokin is the method by which an amalgam of mercury and gold or
silver is applied by heat.

Tachi kanagushi were a group of tachi fittings makers from the Heian to the Momoyama period. Whether it was for use in battle or for ceremonial purposes, the tsuba were worked in the uchidashi
method or sukisage and sukidashi using yamagane, shakudo or iron. They often carved precisely and densely packed flowers or
patterned designs. They sometimes made habaki and seppa and
were accomplished in the use of tokin and iroe, but in strict
terms they should be separated from the shirogane shi. In the mid
Edo period, they lost their special skills and many turned into general artisans making fittings or metal casting.

The folds of the mimi are very thick with both sides depressed. The etching of the peony seems to be sukidashi bori, the centre section is also etched [kusarakashi].

For a similar piece see Shibata, Mitsuo, Hyakutsuba, (Token Shibata, 1973). p.23.