EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY), THE FIRST INSCRIBED KONKAN AND WITH KAO (CURSIVE MONOGRAM), THE THIRD INSCRIBED YAMASHIRO KUNI FUSHIMI JU KANEIE

Details

A Yokoya School Tsuba, a Heianjo Tsuba and an Iron Tsuba
Edo period (18th-19th century), the first inscribed Konkan and with kao (cursive monogram), the third inscribed Yamashiro kuni Fushimi ju Kaneie
Comprising a rounded-rectangular shibuichi plate designed in shishiaibori and iroe takazogan with Minamoto no Yorimasa looking up at the nue in swirling clouds, the reverse with the veranda of the Shishinden in the imperial palace; an iron openwork ishime-ji tsuba with brass overlays on stylized foliage and brass rope rim; iron mokko tsuba with a tsuchime-ji finish carved with a Chinese landscape, gilt details
3 5/8in. (9cm.) long ; 3 3/8in. (8.5cm.) diameter; 3 5/8in. (9cm.) long (3)

Provenance

The first Herman A. E. and Paul C. Jaehne, New York
The second Robert Hamilton Rucker, New York
The third Mrs. George A. Crocker and Malcolm MacMartin, New York

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. This lot is exempt from Sales Tax.

Lot Essay

Minamoto no Yorimasa (1106-1180) was a poet and distinguished warrior who held a promising position at court. Legend states that in 1153, he was called to the aid of the emperor who was unable to sleep at night because of scratching and shrieks coming from the roof of the palace. Guards were posted around the building to find the cause of the noise but all they were able to see was a black cloud descending to the roof every night. Yorimasa solved the mystery by shooting with an arrow a beast called a nue, a curious mix of a monkey, tiger and dragon, with a tail like a snake.

The second tsuba in this lot was acquired by the museum in 1946 from the estate of Robert Hamilton Rucker, a founding member of the Arms and Armor Club of New York. He was also the author of the Goda Collection catalogue (see lot 250.)

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