NH-0593 Rank 95
Tsuba · Tomochika (Chōshū)
友周 (Tomochika)
Polished iron tsuba depicting the kyokusui theme (the meandering stream) in sukidashi takabori, signed by Tomochika of Hagi, Chōshū school, with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.
Photographs
Photographs by the seller at origin.
Description
Tate-maru shaped tsuba in iron with a polished surface (migaki-ji) and a square rim (kaku-mimi). The obverse shows the kyokusui theme, the meandering stream beside which poetry gatherings were held: a flowering plum at the top, rocks, a large vessel on the bank and two seated figures by the water, carved in sukidashi takabori with the current drawn in fine lines. On the reverse the stream continues in low relief. The restrained, ink-painting-like treatment is typical of the Hagi workshops in Nagato province. Signed on both sides of the central opening 長州萩住友周作 (probable reading: Chōshū Hagi-jū Tomochika saku). The photographs show a stable dark patina, with no active rust or visible damage. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper no. 2008359, dated 1 April 2022, accepts the signature. Dimensions according to the original seller: 8.4 × 8.1 cm, thickness 0.42 cm.
Strong points
- NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper accepting the signature
- Signed by a tsuba maker of the Chōshū school of Hagi
- Literary kyokusui theme in sukidashi takabori
- Polished iron with a stable dark patina
Points to bear in mind
- The reading “Tomochika” of the name is probable, not confirmed
- The rim is not photographed; some light specks of uncertain origin are visible on the reverse
- Period given by the original seller; the piece is not dated
Score breakdown
61.3/100
The score shares out 100 points: Maker 25 · Workmanship 20 · Condition 18 · Period 12 · Paper 10 · Extras 5 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. Maker, workmanship, condition and period are judged from the photographs and the paper; price is compared only with fittings of the same type.
- Maker 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
- Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
- Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
- Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
- Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
- Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
- Price 9.3 of 10 Rank 16 of 228 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest