Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Autumnal Vegetation (秋草透鐔)
Fittings maker Mitsunobu Japanese
Not on view
This tsuba shows a three-dimensional openwork (nikubori ji-sukashi) of autumnal vegetation (akikusa), with the two hitsu-ana (openings for scabbard accessories) being organically formed by the motif. Please note that the first part of the signature, "Nōshū-jū" (濃州住, "resident of Mino province"), is chiseled whereas the second part, "Mitsunobu + monogram" (光伸「花押」) is inlaid in gold and executed in seal script.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.