Mei; 'Yamashiro Kuni Fushimi Ju Kaneiye'  H 02464.0
Dates to ca. 1700.

PROVENANCE:    Elliott D. Long

This elegant iron tsuba in maru gata circular form, with punch marks at the nakago ana, has the feel of great strength and a well patined surface. It is provided with kogai hitsu ana. The well patined surface is carved in katakiri bori, a carving with lines of varying thickness and depth in imitation of the strokes of a painter's brush, the carving repeats on the reverse, with engraved details, and the iron of good color. The subject depicts two figures crossing a bridge on their way to a temple in the mountains, and mountains rising in the distance. On the reverse, there appears a fisherman in his boat, with distant mountains in the background.

The metal is good, the workmanship excellent, the design lofty, dignified, and carefully worked, the forms full bodied, and the surface with a deep dark brown patina. This tsuba exhibits many usual characteristics, is very well hammered, and the entire guard has a rustic appearance. All of these traits make this an excellant work of the Saga Kaneiye school.

8.30cm x 8.60cm x 0.40cm