COLLECTION

Tsuba Handguard with Plum Blossom Design, Signed “Ginshotei Tomei” (Written Seal))

Late Edo Period (Early to Mid 19th C.)
7.1 cm × 6.4 cm

Made by Araki Tomei, a pupil of Goto Ichijo. This piece features elaborate nanako work (tiny grains reminiscent of fish roe covering the metal surface, made through chasing) applied to a base made of shakudo (an alloy of copper and gold), with plum blossom ornaments in colored high relief, and a tree branch design in gold inlay. This piece is a part of a set of metal fittings, along with a kozuka knife with a bamboo design, and a fuchigashira end cap with an orchid design.