Akasaka tsuba with slanting rays of light motif, by Tadatoki IV. Edo period, 18th century.

Iron tsuba of round form with slanting rays of light (shakoh) Christian motif (Jesuit’s IHS symbol) in openwork (sukashi). Traditional description of this kind of design is called “tokei”, or “clock gear”.

Signed: On the face: Bushu ju Akasaka; On the back: Tadatoki Saku [Made by Tadatoki, resident of Bushu]. Probably, 4th generation of Akasaka School master Tadatoki (忠時), who died in 1746.

Akasaka School.

Edo period, first half of the 18th century.

Size: 79.8 x 78.5 x 6.5 mm