Sword guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)

Japanese

Not on view

The obverse shows three differently colored plovers and the reverse waves, with the spray being highighted in gold. The signature states that the tsuba was inspired by design of Ogata Kōrin (尾形光琳, 1658-1716) of the Rinpa School. Kōrin’s unique and highly stylized plovers are colloquially referred to as "Kōrin Plovers" (Japanese: Kōrin-chidori, 光琳千鳥). It appears that this tsuba is a joint work between a certain Senshōsai Munekazu, whose name is not found in the relevant records, and Kakusensai, which was the art name of the Tanaka School artist Tsukui Yoshimune (津久井義宗, 1833-?). Due to the two artists sharing the character Mune, it is likely that they were related, i.e. as father and son and/or as master and student.

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔), Iron, copper, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy shibuichi), Japanese

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Obverse

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔), Iron, copper, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy shibuichi), Japanese
Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔), Iron, copper, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy shibuichi), Japanese

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