"This tsuba (sword guard) is crafted from a deep, antique copper base in a "cross-shaped mokko" form, with the hitsu for the "kozuka" and "kogai" also finished in an antique style. Fine nanako (fish roe) patterns are neatly applied, giving it a high degree of "dignity." Traces of the original "gold painting" on the "ears" remain on the four corners of the mokko, as evidence of its "antique" status, suggesting a refined and dignified craftsmanship. This particular "tsuba (cross-shaped mokko)" (antique metalwork) boasts a high degree of "dignity" reminiscent of the works of "tachishi" from the Momoyama and late Muromachi periods, and is in the finest condition and state of preservation for an antique piece. Tachishi who made pieces before the Momoyama period were also a school of "old metalwork," and judging from the high quality and deep black "shakudo nanako-ji" (copper roe pattern) of this piece, it is thought that this tsuba was commissioned by a "tachishi" employed by a high-ranking "court noble," "daimyo," "hatamoto," or "koke" for use on a "one-handed uchigatana" or "short wakizashi." As an "antique" that is approximately 430 years old from the Momoyama period, it is a superb piece in terms of both craftsmanship and state of preservation.
In this case, "Sato Kanzan" has appraised it as "Unnamed Tachishi Momoyama Yoshi Tsuya", but the work of "Tachishi" made before the Momoyama period is also one of the schools of "old metalworking", and if you look at the "high-quality" tailoring of the best quality and black "red copper caviar" of this work, it seems that it is an old tsushi that was given to the "Tachishi" held by the high-ranking "official family" and "daimyo, hatamoto, and taka family" for "one-handed sword, small and wakizashi". About 430 years of the Momoyama period have passed, and as a "period item", it is the best quality of the chisel in both the workmanship and the state of preservation. "Old metalwork" refers to the work of metalworkers who do not belong to "Goto" or "Mino" in "swords, hairpins, petite figures, eyes, sword orthotics", etc. made before the Momoyama period. The works of "old metalworkers and swordsmen" who have been used for a long time and exude a unique atmosphere, are full of "antiquity and antiquity" without any pedanticism, and show a subtle taste that never gets tired of "presence.
This tsuba (mokko-shaped tsuba) comes with a "Certificate of Authenticity for Preserved Sword Fittings (Unsigned, Antique Metalwork)" from the "Japan Art Sword Preservation Society." It comes with a "paulownia wood tsuba box (with cushion)" with the following inscription from 1975 (Showa 50) by Dr. Sato Kanzan, a leading figure in the "Japan Art Sword Preservation Society." Sato Kanzan's inscription on the front of the tsuba box reads "Tachi-Shi, Mokko-shaped, Nanako Tsuba." The back of the tsuba box lid has an inscription in ink that reads: "Mokko-shaped, shakudo nanako-ji, two hitsuji holes, unsigned. A fine tsuba made by a Tachishi of the Momoyama period. Showa era, year of the Rabbit, summer day, by Kanzan (circle seal)." (Long)
6.75cm x 5.94cm x 0.46cm |
