Lot 152
152
AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)
AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)
AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)
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AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)
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The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art
AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)

JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (MID-19TH CENTURY), SIGNED YOKEI TSUKURU WITH CURSIVE MONOGRAM (KAO) (TOYOKAWA YOKEI II; 1813-1869)

Details
AN EXTREMELY RARE LACQUER TSUBA (HAND GUARD FOR A DAGGER)
JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (MID-19TH CENTURY), SIGNED YOKEI TSUKURU WITH CURSIVE MONOGRAM (KAO) (TOYOKAWA YOKEI II; 1813-1869)
The mokko-shaped tsuba formed from layers of paper covered in dark grey-brown textured tetsusabi-nuri, the nakago-ana (main central opening for the blade tang) and hitsu-ana (smaller side slots for accessory tools stored in the scabbard) further lacquered to mimic the copper shims, each side finely ornamented in high relief silver takabori with highlighted lacquer details, the front side with Fukurokuju, God of Good Fortune and Longevity holding a rolled-up scroll inscribed Fukurokuju, the reverse with further symbols of longevity consisting of a tanchozuru (red-crested crane) in flight over two stalks of reishi fungus, signed in gold hiramaki-e Masayuki hori o tsukamatsuri kore tsuide Yokei tsukuru (Chiselled by Masayuki, subsequently made by Yokei).
3 ½ in. (8.6 cm.) diam.
With a wood storage box
Provenance
Wrangham Collection.
Literature
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Harehope, Northumberland, Harehope Publications, 1995, p.330, Yokei (second from right).

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Lot Essay

Technically, this tsuba is a masterpiece. Unlike conventional metal tsuba, in which grooves can be chiselled directly into an iron or copper plate, the application of high-relief silver elements to a ground as delicate as paper demands exceptional technical mastery, given the vast differences in the physical properties of the two materials.

Compare with an identical design of Fukurokuju on an inlaid shakudo tsuba by Somin ranked Tokubetsu-Juyo Tosogu in Tokubetsu-Juyo Shinsa no. 26, March 28, 2020, and an inlaid shakudo kozuka by Soyo ranked Juyo Tosogu in Juyo Shinsa, no. 66, December 15, 2020. Both illustrated in the NBTHK Tokubetsu-Juyo Nado Zufu and Juyo Nado Zufu.

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