Nihonto.com is pleased to present for sale a truly special tsuba. This is one of only three Ônin tsuba that have ever been elevated to Jûyô Tôsôgu status by the NBTHK. Make no mistake, this is a massive tsuba measuring over 3 3/4 inches. The following is a translation of the Jûyô Tôsôgu zufu giving a detailed description of this important tsuba.
Designated as jûyô-tôsôgu at the 34th jûyô-shinsa held on April 14th 1988
Kaki-karimon zôgan-tsuba (花卉雁文象嵌鐔) – Tsuba with zôgan design of flowers and wild geese.
Mumei: Ônin (応仁)
Tôkyô, Nakasono Tokumi (中園とくみ)
Measurements: height 9.5 cm, width 9.4 cm, thickness at rim 0.35 cm
Interpretation: marugata, iron, brass zôgan, two hitsu-ana
Time: end of Muromachi
Explanation:
Ônin-tsuba are thin iron ita-tsuba which show a brass zôgan ornamentation. All of them are mumei and there is the theory that they were made in the Ônin era (応仁, 1467-1469) although today more and more the theory is accepted that they are in general late Muromachi period works. There are two kinds of brass zogan interpretations: One depicts irregularly arranged tachibana branches, wild geese, chrysanthemums, flowers, or karakusa, and the other one shows punctual (raised dots) zôgan elements, which are referred to as hoshi-zôgan or ro-zôgan, and concentrical zôgan elements between the nakago-ana and the rim. The latter interpretations might also be accompanied by simple ko-sukashi in the form of butterflies, clouds, hats, or stylized mountains.
This tsuba is a typical work from the former category. It is large and feels massive and the powerful and impressive zôgan and the excellent iron make it a highly tasteful piece.
This tsuba proudly sports a sword cut at the 12:00 position of the reverse evidencing that it was in use during the Sengoku Jidai (period of the country at war) of the Muromachi Era.
This is your opportunity to own an outstanding tsuba and, as noted, only one of three such tsuba high ranking Ônin Tsuba in the world. Do not miss out on this opportunity.
PRICE: SOLD
