Iron tsuba depicting Ariwara no Narihira, signed by Tsuchiya Yasuchika VI
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century, Edo period
This Japanese iron tsuba, or sword guard, dates to the 19th century during the Edo period. It is of nagamarugata form and features an obverse side decorated with a scene of Ariwara no Narihira on horseback, accompanied by an attendant performing a Shinto purification ritual.
The composition is enriched with clouds in the distance. The reverse depicts a second attendant holding a parasol while tying his sandals. The piece demonstrates sophisticated metalwork techniques, including iro-e takazogan, gold nunomezogan, and katakiribori. The guard includes one kozuka hitsu ana and a nakago ana fitted with copper sekigane. Measuring 7.5 cm in height, 7.2 cm in length, and 0.3 cm in width at the mimi and seppa-dai, the tsuba weighs 117 grams.
It is signed on one side with the name Sekienshi Hogen Yasuchika accompanied by a kakihan. The reverse bears an inscription stating that the object was made by the Sodetome Bay in Edo, Musashi Province.
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
- Height
- 7.5 cm
- Length
- 7.2 cm
- Weight
- 117 g
- Material
- iron
- Width mimi
- 0.3 cm
- Width seppa dai
- 0.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Shape
- nagamarugata
- Features
- one kozuka hitsu ana, nakago ana with copper sekigane
- Techniques
- iro-e takazogan, gold nunomezogan, katakiribori
Design
- Obverse
- Ariwara no Narihira on horseback with an attendant performing a Shinto purification ritual
- Reverse
- attendant holding a parasol while tying sandals
- Inscriptions
- Signed SEKIENSHI HOGEN YASUCHIKA with kakihan, inscribed Buko Sodetome ura no atari nite kore wo kizamu
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
- Tsuchiya Yasuchika VI
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.