'HAZAMA'

"Sahari is an alloy of several metals that is very hard. The inlay is made from a combination of copper, tin, zinc, and lead. The mixture is then made into the shape of a stick. The stick is ground to powder and the powder is placed in the crevices on the plate that have been engraved to form the design. Then the powder is melted by fire. After the alloy has melted, and filled the areas of the design, the excess is filed from the plate and the surface is polished smooth to the face of the plate. Because the alloy fills the area of the design unevenly, and air pockets are left in the metal from the melting process, the resulting inlay has a corroded appearance. This is natural to the alloy and its method in melting. If it does not have this appearance it is not true sahari inlay." (Long)

7.85cm x 7.85cm x 0.49cm

"A rare and highly sought-after "Ma" tsuba. This is a round, iron-based tsuba with a shell design, sand-covered flat inlay, and round lugs with double-hitsu-ana. "Ma" tsuba is a general term for tsuba crafted by tsuba makers who lived in what is now Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture. Tsuba makers originating from gunsmiths in Kunitomo Village, Omi Province, can be found throughout Japan. Many are inscribed with the name "Kunitomo," but a small number of tsuba makers in Kameyama, Ise Province, are also part of this school. This tsuba is crafted using a special alloy inlay technique called "sahari" (sand-covered) inlay, based on gun inlay. While seemingly unassuming at first glance, a closer look reveals a unique iridescence, revealing a profound depth to its simple aesthetic, making it an extremely valuable piece. This is a distinctive masterpiece, featuring a beautiful sand-covered flat inlay on an iron base, featuring a shell design." (Long)

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