Caption

Crossguard tsuba, Takahashi Ietsugu fl. ca. 1830–1880. Tsuba in the shape of a rectangle with rounded sides with slight indentations in each corner sumi iri mokkô gata, slightly raised edge uchi kaeshi. Two-tone shield crossguard — obverse made of shakudo alloy, reverse of shibuichi. Decorated in high relief using inlay and engraving techniques: obverse shows a blossoming cherry tree standing on the seashore with a mountain peak silhouetted in the distance among clouds; reverse shows two swimming ducks and cherry blossom petals falling onto the water. Signature: Takahashi Ietsugu sei. 1st half of the 19th century Edo period, 1603–1868, Japan. Tsuba; height 7 cm, width 6 cm, depth 0.5 cm., A dark metallic square object with rounded corners sits against a gray background, featuring a central vertical oval opening. The surface shows a few raised and indented areas and fine engraved lines suggesting rippling water near the bottom. A group of small floral clusters appears at the lower edge and along the right side, with many tiny rounded blossoms and textured leaves rendered in a silvery tone. A tree with a textured dark trunk and branches rises on the right, with some slender branches highlighted in gold. Near the top, there are several horizontal gold streaks and a few small gold accents. The overall colors visible are dark charcoal, gray, silver, and gold.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A20_406

License type

Rights managed

Available size

103.0Mb (4.3Mb) / 20.0in x 20.0in / 6000 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Crossguard tsuba Takahashi Ietsugu fl ca 1830–1880 Tsuba shape rectangle rounded sides slight indentations corner sumi iri mokkô gata slightly raised edge uchi kaeshi Two-tone shield crossguard obverse shakudo alloy reverse shibuichi Decorated high relief using inlay engraving techniques blossoming cherry tree standing seashore mountain peak silhouetted distance clouds two swimming ducks cherry blossom petals falling water Signature Takahashi Ietsugu sei 1st half 19th century Edo period 1603–1868 Japan height 7 cm width 6 cm depth 0.5 cm dark metallic square object rounded corners sits gray background featuring central vertical oval opening surface indented areas fine engraved lines suggesting rippling water near bottom group small floral clusters lower edge right side tiny rounded blossoms textured leaves rendered silvery tone tree textured dark trunk branches rises right slender branches highlighted gold Near top several horizontal gold streaks small gold accents colors visible dark charcoal gray silver gold.