"Presented here is a excellent sukashi tsuba displaying the highest quality iron. The surface area has been finely burnished and the edges pleasingly rounded and sloped. All in all a deep purpleish black patina that is luscious. This is named "tomi-matsu sukashi" (distant-view pine openwork), where the outlines of the pine appear soft and indistinct.
The motif is a two storied pine tree by the 2nd generation (nidai) Nishigaki master, Kanshiro. The auspicious motif is executed in positive silhouette or yo-sukashi (陽透). The branches and veining of the leaves are delicately carved in kebori, and as typical of nidai works, some of the carving encrouches into the seppadai, and the hitsuana are asymmetric. In concert with the sukashi motif, the outer rim evokes the old gnarled character of a mature, large branch of the pine tree. The entire piece symbolizes longevity, righteousness, and spiritual order, quietly embodying the ideals and self-discipline valued by the samurai class." (Long)
8.90cm x 8.70cm x 0.55cm |
