"A masterpiece by Hamano Masanobu, the founder of the Hamano school, one of the three most renowned metalworking schools of Edo. This is a rounded, iron-ground tsuba (sword guard) with a wave design, carved in relief, silver inlay, and enamel, featuring a sukidashi (lofted relief) style. Hamano Masanobu was the founder of one of the three most famous schools of sword fittings in Edo during the mid-Edo period. (The three schools of mid-Edo: Nara school, Hamano school, Yokotani school) He was a top-class craftsman, excelling in realistic depictions using high-relief enamel. Born in Kanda, Edo. 1696-November 23, 1769 (Genroku 9 - Meiwa 6, October 26), died at age 74. His disciples included the second Hamano Masanobu and the first Hamano Nobuyuki. His common name was Tarobei. His pseudonyms included Otsuryuken, Ajisumi, and Kankei. This is a magnificent tsuba, featuring a stunning wave design rendered in exquisite sukidashi carving and silver inlay enamel. The dynamic depiction of a surging wave is one of the designs that the Hamano school excels at, and this piece is a masterpiece that showcases the high level of skill of the founder of the Hamano school.
This piece is featured on page 95 of Zabo Tsuba Sen." (Long)
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