Edo Higo tsuba with peony and double butterfly design
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Edo Higo
This unsigned tsuba, or Japanese sword guard, is attributed to the Edo Higo school of metalwork. Crafted from iron, the guard features a polished surface and is decorated with an intricate peony and double butterfly motif executed through inlay technique.
The tsuba is formed in the fukuro-gata shape, characterized by its rounded corners, and features a distinctive shovel-shaped ear at the edge, which retains remnants of soil. The central aperture is designed to accommodate the sword tang. With a height of 7.2 cm, a width of 6.6 cm, and a thickness of 0.48 cm, the object reflects the aesthetic traditions of the Edo period. This piece is accompanied by a special preservation certificate for sword fittings issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK), verifying its quality and authenticity as a significant example of Japanese metalcraft.
The composition balances floral elements with delicate insect motifs, showcasing the high level of artistry associated with Higo province metalworkers.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Width
- 6.6 cm
- Height
- 7.2 cm
- Material
- Iron
- Thickness
- 0.48 cm
Technical characteristics
- Edge
- Shovel-shaped ear
- Technique
- Inlay
Design
- Motif
- Peony and double butterfly
- Shape
- Fukuro-gata
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.