Page 29 - Bonhams Fine Japanese Art London Nov. 2019

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AN IRON TSUBA Accompanied by a NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu certificate,
By Ito Masahiro, Goto Ichijo School, dated Heisei 13 (2001), attributing the work to Ito Masahiro.
Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
The tsuba of rounded rectangular form with raised rim, carved in low The son of Ito Masanori, Ito Masahiro became the ninth master of
relief with a large shishi, the reverse with gold peonies growing around the Ito family lineage and was a student of Goto Ichijo (see Robert E.
rocks by a winding stream in a mountainous landscape, Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists,
signed Ito Masahiro; with a fitted wood storage box. Ellwangen, Nihon Art Publishers, 2001, no.H.04004). Masahiro’s
8.5cm (3 3/8in). (3). surviving works are exceedingly rare. The reverse of the present tsuba
is based on an original by his illustrious teacher Goto Ichijo. Based on
£2,000 - 3,000 the Noh drama Shakkyo which concludes with a magnificent shishi
JPY260,000 - 400,000 and peony dance, it shows the mountain paradise of the Pure Land
US$2,500 - 3,700 but eliminates the expected bridge that one must cross in order to
reach it: This is an instance of rusu moyo, a design element that
Published: is suggested but not explicitly depicted. For the original version by
Fukushi Shigeo, Tosogu machibori meihin shusei (A Collection of Goto Ichijo, see Sato Kan’ichi and Honma Junji, Nihonto taikan (The
Masterpieces of Sword Fittings in the Urban-Carving Tradition), Tokyo, Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Survey), Tsuba, kodogu hen
Inose Insatsu, 2005, p.198, no.257. (Tsuba and Sword Fittings), Tokyo, Otsuka Kogeisha, 1972, no.577.

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. FINE JAPANESE ART | 27