Page 25 - Bonhams November 4 2021 Japanese art London

26*
SIX TSUBA (SWORD GUARDS)
Momoyama (1573-1615) to Edo (1615-1868) period,
late 16th to 19th century
All of iron and roughly circular except for the fifth, the first with a bridge
over a raging torrent; the second pierced with grasses; the third
Kyo-sukashi, with stylised flying birds; the fourth pierced with leafy
branches; the fifth Kyo-sukashi, with kutsuwa (horse bits); the last
katchushi style, pierced with tomo-e, floral, and other motifs.
The smallest: 7.2cm (2 13/16in); the largest: 8.5cm (3 5/16in). (6).
£800 - 1,000
JPY120,000 - 150,000
US$1,100 - 1,400
27*
FIVE TSUBA (SWORD GUARDS)
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th to 19th century
The first of shibuichi, lobed mokkogata outline, with flush gold inlay of
stylised dragons, signed Kashu no ju Katsukuni (Katsukuni of Kaga
Province); the second iron, three-lobed, pierced and chiselled with
two shogi pieces inlaid in silver, signed Echizen no ju Umemura saku 28
(Made by Umemura of Echizen [Province]); the third of shakudo, lobed
mokkogata outline, chiselled with a continuous cloud design and inlaid
in gold with two pairs of drums belonging to Raijin the Storm God; the
fourth of shakudo, circular, chiselled and inlaid with Kosekiko crossing
a bridge with his horse, a dragon in the water beneath, and Choryo
returning Kosekiko’s shoe, signed Kuwamura Gen’emon Katsuhisa
with a kao; the last shibuichi, six-sided with a rim imitating bamboo,
inlaid with chrysanthemums in gold, silver, and copper.
The smallest: 6.5cm (2 9/16in); the largest: 8.5cm (3 5/16in). (5).
£800 - 1,000
JPY120,000 - 150,000
US$1,100 - 1,400
28*
TWO TSUBA (SWORD GUARDS)
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
The first of shibuichi nanako, lobed mokkogata outline, inlaid in gold
and silver with shishi (Chinese mythical lions), bamboo, rocks and a
mountain stream; the second of shakudo nanako, oval, chiselled with
birds in flight, details in gold and silver, with signature Fu Shunmei
Hogen and a kao.
The first: 6.1cm (2 7/16in); the second: 8.1cm (3 3/16in). (2).
£1,000 - 1,500
JPY150,000 - 230,000
US$1,400 - 2,000
29*
TWO IRON AND CLOISONNÉ-ENAMEL
TSUBA (SWORD GUARDS)
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
Both iron, circular, the first with bold nanako-style granulation,
decorated in translucent cloisonné enamels with sea fish and shells,
signed Yoshitoshi with a kao, the second with a strong mokume grain,
decorated in translucent cloisonné enamels and copper with hats and 29
stylised snowflakes, signed Shinto gotetsu ren (Forged five times in
ritual purification or forged from an old begging bowl) Myochin Ki no
Yoshiobu. Both approx., 7.7cm (3in). (2).
£800 - 1,200
JPY120,000 - 180,000
US$1,100 - 1,600
Yoshitoshi appears from the kao to be the same artist as Eiyushi
Yoshitoshi (Robert E., Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings
and Associated Artists, Ellwangen, Germany, Nihon Art Publishers,
2001, no.H12200.0), maker of a tsuba in the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston (correct inv. no. 11.12116), although the techniques used are
very different. For an exhaustive discussion of the unusual signature on
the second tsuba, see markussesko.com/2013/02/16/about-shinto-
gotetsu-inscriptions-on-myochin-works/

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. JAPANESE ART | 23