Ko Kinko Tsuba

This superb yamagane tsuba shares numerous featuures with totosho iron tsuba of the same period.  Large, thin plate with light surface ornamentation of flower punch marks, slight taper from seppadai to rim, and small amounts of sukashi.  These similarities strongly suggest that during the Muromachi period, there were common traditions between iron and soft-metal tsubako.  Considerable amounts of black lacquer are preserved on the plate, providing a nice colour contrast with the rich orange of the yamagane.  The sukashi and hitsuana appear to be original.  Overall an excellent tsuba for the discerning collector of pre-Edo tsuba.

8.5 x 8.5 x 0.3cm seppadai, 0.2 cm mimi

Momoyama period (latest 16th c.)