Iron tsuba of round form with design of rabbit (usagi) in openwork (sukashi) and inlaid with designs of plants and family crests (mon) in suemon-zōgan. A branch with lonely leaf, half chrysanthemum, and flying wild geese on the face represent autumnal connotations. The same motif is complemented by a clove (choji) on the reverse. The family crests (mon) include: interlocked rings (kanawa; wachigai), three encircled lines or stripes (hikiryo), bit or muzzle (kutsuwa - horse's harness element with possible christian symbolism), and encircled triangle (uroko, fish scale). Brass wire trim around the openwork elements and the seppa-dai, scalloped wire inlay around the hitsu-ana. Iron is dark, almost black. Brass or copper elements vary in shades of lighter and darker yellow with red-ish hue.
Ōnin school.
Late Muromachi period, 16th century.
Height: 89.6 mm; Width: 89.3 mm; Thickness at seppa-dai: 3.0 mm. Weight: 129.7 g.
Additional Information
| Collection | Japanese swords & fittings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Tsuba |
| Country | Japan |
| Period | 16 AD , Muromachi period [室町時代] (1336–1573) |
| School | Ōnin School |
| Material | Brass , Iron |
| Media/Technique | Sukashi , Zōgan |
| Subject | Chrysanthemum (kiku) , Clove (choji) , Family crest (mon) , Ginkgo leaves , Vines , Wild geese , rabbit (usagi) |
| Acquisition year | 2017 |
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