Anonymous

Edo period 19th century

1700-1868

Tsuba

A beautifully designed iron tsuba with gold highlights and silver inlay. Two rice plants circle the tsuba with its leaves having gold highlights representing the reflection of the sun and silver inlay at the leaf tips representing water drops

This tsuba is of the Sunagawa school of Yedo. Founded by Masatora, one of the Akasaka, the Sunagawa was known for producing iron sword guards of the same designs and compositions of its parent family Kinai. Their sword guards are usually in clearly cut reliefs and to a high finish.

A very tsuba of almost identical design is found in the Cleveland museum collection by the maker Yuchikdo Seisen.

Unsigned

Size 71mm x 74mm