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This is an extremely rare example of a lead inlaid tosho
sukashi tsuba. The sukashi is a very delicately done
rendition which looks like a crawling praying mantis,
however, another interpretation is that it is of sasa leaves
with dew drops. The sukashi is inlaid completely with lead
that is actually just thicker than the iron surface. The
inlay method is different than the usual method used for
plugging hitsu ana, being more artistic, polished and
tapered. There are some old abrasions in places to the lead,
however, it maintains a very nice dark patina. The surface
of the iron maintains a very nice dark patina, and original
surface file marks are even visible in places. There is one
point on the rim of the tsuba which has what appears to be a
divet. The fact that this tsuba is lavishly adorned with
lead implies that it was produced before lead became a
military commodity following contact with the Portuguese and
the introduction of firearms. When this tsuba was made, lead
was still a prestige metal, the color of this lead also
implies that it may have something else mixed in with it or
that it was not completely refined. Many archeological sites
across Japan have yielded many lead tosogu from the
Muromachi period, however, with the introduction of
firearms, lead was reused for musket balls. Many early
pieces with lead plugs had them removed so the lead could be
reused. The survival of such a piece in such
original condition is unusual.
Dimensions: 8.4cm x 8.3cm x 0.3cm
Muromachi Period 15-16th century.
SOLD