Russet iron, one-piece construction with decorative grooves.
This item has been sold.
Dimensions
68 x 62 x 4.6
Weight
101 grams
Materials
Iron, gold, silver
Origin
Japan
Dating
19th century
Provenance
From a Japanese collection
Sold
Introduction
Description
Iron tsuba with raised rim and two small kozuka-hitsu-ana.
The facing side depicts an elephant with a sacred jewel on its back. The animal is carved in relief and decorated with gold and silver overlay. On the reverse is a square panel with kanji.
It is signed "Yasuchika".
Imitation
This tsuba is a 19th-century imitation of an important earlier tsuba that is classified as jūyō bunkazai or "important cultural property". Such items can be owned privately but cannot leave Japan. It is currently owned by the Jinya Ryokan, a former daimyo residence of the Kanagawa fief that is now a guesthouse.
The original Yasuchika elephant tsuba.
Jūyō bunkazai. Owned by the Jinya Ryokan.
Currently available:
Unusual tsuba with foreign figures and Chinese auspicious symbols.
€1800,-