Caption

Crossguard tsuba by Kawarabayashi Hidekuni 1825–1891. Rectangular tsuba with rounded corners nadegaku gata and a slightly raised, rounded edge of the uchi nkaeshi mimi type. Decorated with a dragon with a pearl among clouds with lightning, executed in painterly engraving imitating ink painting. Details inlaid with gold and very fine agates. Signed. Hidekuni was a student of Hideoki, a master of the Ôzuki school; he died in 1891. 2nd half of the 19th century Edo/Meiji periods, Japan. Tsuba; height 7.9 cm, width 7.3 cm, depth 0.4 cm., A round metal object with an oval hole near its center sits against a gray background; the metal surface is mostly dark gray with areas of lighter gray and brownish spots, and a carved flowing cloud-like pattern appears on one side. A thin bright gold line in a few segments is inlaid across the carved area, forming angular shapes that contrast with the gray metal. The object shows subtle surface scratches and varied patina, and its edges are slightly irregular with darker and lighter gray tones.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A23_412

License type

Rights managed

Available size

103.0Mb (8.4Mb) / 20.0in x 20.0in / 6000 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Crossguard tsuba Kawarabayashi Hidekuni 1825–1891 Rectangular tsuba rounded corners nadegaku gata slightly raised rounded edge uchi nkaeshi mimi type Decorated dragon pearl clouds lightning executed painterly engraving imitating ink painting Details inlaid gold fine agates Signed Hidekuni was student Hideoki master Ôzuki school died 1891 2nd half 19th century Edo Meiji periods Japan Tsuba height 7.9 cm width 7.3 cm depth 0.4 cm round metal object oval hole near center sits gray background metal surface mostly dark gray areas lighter gray brownish spots carved flowing cloud- pattern side thin bright gold line segments inlaid across carved area forming angular shapes contrast gray metal object subtle surface scratches varied patina edges slightly irregular darker lighter gray tones.