THREE JAPANESE TSUBA

THREE JAPANESE TSUBA
EDO/MEIJI, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

One signed Bushu ju Masafusa, 7.6cm max. (6)

WITHOUT RESERVE

Two made of iron, the third in copper; the signed iron tsuba depicting a saihai (signalling baton), a taiko (war drum) and two drumsticks rendered in openwork; the other iron tsuba with Fukurokuju, the God of Longevity wearing a tengu mask on the back of his head, frightening a small child, the reverse with bamboo leaves by a waterfall; the decoration rendered in copper and gold inlays; the third chased with a dragon amongst scrolling clouds; each boxed.

Illustrated: the signed tsuba illustrated and discussed in G D Murtha, Japanese Sword Guards, Art of War, p.238-239. The author notes that Ito Masafusa was a student of Ito Masatsugu c.1700.