Four iron sukashi tsuba | Momoyama – Edo period, 17th – 19th century

Four iron sukashi tsuba

Momoyama – Edo period, 17^th – 19^th century

the first Higo school, the circular iron tsuba with rich patination, pierced in the form of blossoming plum branches, rounded rim (marumimi); the second Kyoto school, the circular iron tsuba pierced with paulownia before scrolling karakasu; the third, an iron mokko-gata tsuba pierced with stylised foliage; the fourth, patinated iron depicting a large pine tree

The first accompanied by a certificate of registration as Hozon Tosogu [Sword Fitting Worthy of Preservation], no. 4001395 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 24 (2012).

The second accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Kicho Kodogu [Especially Precious Fitting], no. 199 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Showa 49 (1974).

7 cm., 2¾ in. high (the first)

8.2 cm., 3¼ in. (the second) 

7.2 cm., 2¾ in. high (the third)

8 cm., 3¾ in. (the fourth)