"This is a masterpiece that can be said to be the pinnacle of
openwork tsuba, with a superbly crafted warabi-te gan-tsunagi openwork pattern on a thick, exquisite iron base, a perfect example. The intricate and refined, deep yokan-colored iron and the vertical, smooth edges of the openwork are all first-rate. The box says "Muromachi period", but from what I can see, the period is probably around the Momoyama period. This is a large magnificent piece making it an outstanding works.
This tsuba (sword guard) is a neat, round shape with proper openwork, and at a glance, it is clearly a superior work of the Hayashi family. The meticulous and understated, deep color of the iron, and the vertical, unburdened edges of the openwork, are reminiscent of Matashichi. However, the uneven shape of the bracken-shaped ornaments, the slight movement in the flat areas, and the visible iron frame at the rim suggest that the maker was Shigemitsu, who succeeded Matashichi. It is large, well-crafted, and first-class in its composition and iron color, making it possibly one of Shigemitsu's outstanding works." (Long)
8.37 cm x 8.10 cm x 0.50 cm. |
