NH-0800 Rank 356
Tsuba · Hizen school
Unsigned octagonal iron tsuba, attributed by the paper to Hizen, with ascending and descending dragons in kebori and European-flavoured ornament. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.
Photographs
Photographs by the seller at origin.
Description
Octagonal iron tsuba, 八角形 (hakkakugata), with a rounded rim, 丸耳 (maru-mimi). It is unsigned, 無銘 (mumei); the NBTHK paper attributes it to 肥前 (Hizen) and titles the subject 昇降双龍図 (shōkō sōryū-zu), 'ascending and descending twin dragons'. On one face two dragons encircle the central opening, rendered in fine engraved lines and hatching; the other face carries European-flavoured ornament — scrolls, a crown-like form and a grape-like cluster — within a scrolling border, an exotic taste associated with Hizen workshops. The paper describes the technique as 毛彫 (kebori) and 象嵌 (zōgan); the photographs show the engraving and the cross-hatched ground typical of inlay, of which only traces remain. Dimensions according to the original seller: 8.5 × 8.5 cm, 0.3 cm thick, 162 g. The photographs show an uneven patina with greyish patches and rust spots, and the inlay almost entirely lost; the central opening retains remnants of metal fitting pieces with some rust. No cracks or knocks are visible on the rim. Paper 特別保存刀装具 (Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu) no. 2008385, dated 1 April 2022.
Strong points
- NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper visible in the photographs (no. 2008385, 2022)
- Paper attribution to the Hizen school
- Uncommon subject: ascending and descending twin dragons
- European-flavoured ornament on the other face
- Octagonal form with kebori engraving on both faces
Points to bear in mind
- Unsigned: the attribution is to a school, not to a maker
- Inlay almost entirely lost; uneven patina with rust spots
- Remnants of rusted metal fitting pieces in the central opening
- The paper gives no period; it is estimated from style
Score breakdown
46.5/100
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 9 of 25 Attributed to a school only
- Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
- Condition 9 of 18 Visible wear
- 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 9.5 of 10 Rank 13 of 228 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest