Ko-Tosho (swordsmith) Tsuba. Iron, marugata, slightly convex (goishi-gata), with image of cherry-blossom, snowflake, and hat in sukashi openwork. It is ubu without hitsu ana dating back to Muromachi period. The image depicted is one representing the Noh play “Hachi-no-ki”, which tells of the sacrifice of an innkeeper who cut down his treasured potted trees so that he could put them in the fire to provide warmth for a traveling monk. The monk was actually a lord in disguise, who eventually repaid the innkeeper’s kindness by granting him some lands. A very tasteful tsuba, exemplifying the wabi-sabi aesthetic of restrained elegance.
NOTE:
As I wish to make deals as honest and faithful as possible, I would like to add to above that Ko-Tosho / Tosho tsuba are not the area where I am most experienced and you should judge carefully from pictures and video and decide for yourself whether this tsuba being Ko-Tosho, Tosho or even a edo piece made in (Ko-) Tosho style.
I felt convinced about this one being Ko-Tosho when I compared to this one (among others): https://tsuba.info/product/ko-tosho-ume-2/
Mei/signature:
Mumei
School/province:
Ko-Tosho
(swordsmith tsuba)
Period/age:
Muromachi period
Measures:
7.65 cm x 7.25 cm x 0.3,5 cm (x 0.25 cm at mimi)
Certificate:
No
Included:
NO kiri box included