Kantei

NH-0940 Rank 176

Tsuba · Itō Seijō (Bushū Itō)

伊藤正乗 (Itō Seijō)

Chrysanthemum-shaped iron tsuba with the snow, moon and flowers theme, signed by Itō Seijō of the Bushū Itō school, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.

TsubaLate Edo (1781–1868)Late Edo period (first half of the 19th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Tsuba signed 武州住伊藤正乗 (Bushū-jū Itō Seijō), a work of the Bushū Itō school of Edo; the original seller attributes it to the eighth generation. The iron plate is chrysanthemum-shaped, kikkagata (菊花形), with a dote-mimi (土手耳) rim. It depicts the classical setsugekka (雪月花) theme of snow, moon and flowers: waves and clouds carved in recessed relief (sukidashi-bori), a pierced crescent moon, and cherry blossoms inlaid in gold along the lobed, pierced border. The photographs show a dark, stable iron patina, crisp relief and the gold largely preserved, with no visible cracks or active rust. The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper no. 2010667, dated July 2024, accepts the signature and describes the piece as iron with sukidashi carving, openwork, inlay and a dote-mimi rim. According to the original seller, it comes with a paulownia box.

Strong points

  • Signed and accepted by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu paper
  • Setsugekka theme (snow, moon and flowers) with finely carved waves
  • Chrysanthemum shape with pierced border and gold inlay
  • Bushū Itō school, specialists in carved and pierced iron

Points to bear in mind

  • The photographs are small; minor losses of gold cannot be ruled out
  • The name 正乗 (Seijō) follows the romanisation of the listing; it may also be read Masanori

Score breakdown

57.6/100

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.

  1. Maker 19 of 25 Genuine signature of a known maker or school
  2. Workmanship 10 of 20 Good work
  3. Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
  4. Period 5 of 12 Late Edo (1781–1868)
  5. Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
  6. Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
  7. Price 5.6 of 10 Rank 100 of 228 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest