Period:

Late Muromachi to Pre-Edo period, to 1615.

Basic Shape:

Round or oval, a very few are mokko.

Seppa-dai:

Mostly of the koban (oval) shape.

Hitsu-ana:

Large and fat, wider than Kyo-Sukashi.

Rims:

Edges are kakumimi, koniku, sukinokoshi, round, or dote mimi usually.

Design Characteristics:

The major characteristic of Shoami design is abundant movement within symmetry. Includes small perforations, positive silhouette openwork, ubusukashi, with many different subjects being used. The Ko-Shoami openwork tsuba show their expert craftsmanship.

Metal Surface:

Soft iron, delicate to the feeling, or almost hard iron. The temper is often coarse. The web is rich in uneveness and fine contours. Excellent surface treatment.

Interior Surface:

Chiseled or rough filed.

Comments:

Truly outstanding Shoami open-work guards are limited to Kyoto Shoami, the most valued are the Ko-Shoami from the Muromachi and Momoyama periods. Ko-Shoami guards have a style that falls between those of Kyo-sukashi and Owari.

KO-SHOAMI School
Ex. Robert Haynes Collection
Very rare unusual sukashi design.
Late Muromachi to Momoyama period.
7.1cm x 7.3cm x 0.4cm.