PROVENANCE:    Elliott D. Long

A very fine early Namban tsuba in excellant condition, making it a high quality Namban tsuba.

Nagasaki is within Hizen province and this was the center of foreign influence (Namban) throughout the Tokugawa period when the rest of the country was closed to foreigners. It is from Hizen that Namban trends originated following the Genroku period (1688-1704).

This work demonstrates the influence of the Namban group of sword guards.
The Arabesque decoration is of leaves and vines in a very nice Sukidashi Bori plate.
The solid and heavy iron plate has a moist wet feel and a very nice dark brown/black even patina with no damage or rust at all.
Momoyama/Early Edo period.
Tightly forged iron plate with small iron bones in the rounded rim.
Mokko-gata shape.
Do (copper) Sekigane.
A very near top quality Namban tsuba.