Japanese Works of Art - 27 Jul 2021
A JAPANESE IRON TOSHO TSUBA
A JAPANESE IRON TOSHO TSUBA
MUROMACHI PERIOD, 16TH CENTURY
The circular plate bearing a dark brown patina, decorated with a war fan (gunbai) and a lucky charm in openwork (sukashi), unsigned, with Hozon Tosogu (Sword fitting Worthy of Preservation) certificate no.4014654 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), dated 22nd February 2019, in a kiri box, 8.2cm. (3)
Provenance: from a European private collection.
PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
This type of tsuba was made by swordsmiths from the Heian (794-1185) or Kamakura period (1185-1333) until the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). The symbol of the military commander's fan (gunbai) was cherished by warriors, and as they were intended for samurai involved in fierce fighting, these tsuba were produced as consumable goods.