Ko-Shoami tsuba with deer and maple leaves motif, c. 1575-1625.

Iron tsuba of round form decorated with a deer and maple leaves in positive silhouette openwork (ji-sukashi), with details finely carved in low relief (kebori). Nakagō-ana plugged with copper fittings (sekigane). Traces of lacquer on the surface.

NBTHK: Hozon, №424947.

Design: An autumnal tsuba with an allusion to Kasuga Shrine in Nara.

Attributed by NBTHK to Shoami.

Age: Probably the Momoyama period (1574 – 1603) or early Edo period (1603 – 1650), but judging on the item’s substantial size (diameter 86.6 mm) and considerable thinness (3.4 mm) may be attributed to earlier times (late Muromachi period, 1514 – 1573).

Collection	Japanese swords & fittings
Type or purpose	Tsuba
Country	Japan
Period	Early 17th century, Edo Period (1603 – 1868), Late 16th century, Momoyama Period (1574 – 1603)
School	Ko-Shōami, Shoami
Subject	Deer, Maple leaves (momiji)
Material	Iron
Technique	Sukashi
Acquisition year	2021
Documented	HOZON (Worthy of Preservation), Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kai (NBTHK)

Collection

Japanese swords & fittings