Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔)

Japanese

Not on view

This tsuba shows on the obverse a prominent golden dragon between waves and clouds which are also seeon on the reverse. The space between the clouds and waves is filled with nanako (a fish roe-like surface finish), as is the rim, and the sprey of the waves is highlighted in gold.

Tokinobu (1827-1879) was a student of the second Sano generation Naoteru (直照) who was later adopted his master and succeeded as third generation of this school. His real name was Mori Ichijūrō (守市十郎) and tradition has it that he also learned from the Yanagawa master Naotoki (直時).

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese

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Obverse

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese

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