A beautiful example of an iron tsuba from the Saotome school with a very good patina. Iron, kikka-gata Saotome tsuba, with finely cut petals, and image of myoga (ginger plant), and snow drift forming the outline of the kozuka-hitsu. The myoga plant no doubt represents a part of a family crest. This tsuba is in excellent conditions and all lines of the petal remain intact.
The Saotome school were known for doing very nice sukashi work in the kiku or chrysanthemum style. These type of tsuba were made from the Koto period until the early to mid Edo period.
This tsuba have very, very thin and well-done carving done for the chrysanthemum spokes shows the time and care involved in making tsuba of this type. Because of the quality and design of this tsuba, they were easily appreciated and have become very classic and famously for their use on sword or to be appreciated on their own.
The iron used is of good quality, and the piercing work on this piece is extremely well done. Also this tsuba is intact and in really good condition for its age.
Mei/signature:
Mumei
School/province:
Saotome
Period/age:
Edo
Measures:
7.70 cm x 7.50 cm x 0.55 cm
Certificate:
No
Included:
NO kiri box included