Hamano school shakudo and gold tsuba by Otsuryuken Shozui depicting Omori Hikoshichi
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century, Edo period
This Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is a fine example of the work of the Hamano school, specifically attributed to the master artist Otsuryuken Shozui. Dating from the 19th century during the Edo period, the tsuba is of marugata (round) form.
It is constructed from shakudo migakiji (a dark copper-gold alloy with a polished finish) and features intricate metalwork decoration. The obverse is elaborately carved using katakiribori and kebori techniques, supplemented with gold and silver hirazogan (flat inlay) and copper takazogan (relief inlay). The scene depicts the legend of Omori Hikoshichi carrying a demon disguised as a beautiful woman on his back. The reverse is decorated with a willow tree motif, executed in two-toned gold using kebori and katakiribori engraving.
The tsuba is pierced with a nakago ana (central hole for the sword tang) featuring copper sekigane (plugging material), as well as a kozuka and kogai hitsu ana. Measuring 8.1 cm in height and 7.7 cm in length, the piece weighs 153.1 grams and is accompanied by its original wood tomobako storage box.
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
- Weight
- 153.1 g
- Material
- shakudo, gold, silver, copper
- Dimensions
- 8.1 cm height, 7.7 cm length
Technical characteristics
- Form
- marugata
- Finish
- shakudo migakiji
- Apertures
- nakago ana, kozuka hitsu ana, kogai hitsu ana
Design
- Obverse
- Omori Hikoshichi carrying a demon
- Reverse
- willow tree
- Technique
- katakiribori, kebori, hirazogan, takazogan
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.
- Maker named in listing
- Otsuryuken Shozui
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.