Japanese Shibuichi Tsuba with peonies and shishi by Sawaki Akitatsu Hogen
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century, Edo period
This Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is crafted from shibuichi with a polished (migakiji) surface. It features an aorigata form and includes one kozuka hitsu ana, with the nakago ana featuring suaka sekigane inserts.
The decoration is highly detailed, utilizing gold and iro-e takazogan and hirazogan techniques. The obverse depicts a delicate spray of peonies, a motif frequently associated with the maker, Sawaki Akitatsu Hogen (active 1863-1864), who was known as 'one peony man'. The reverse side showcases a shishi carved in the katakiribori style, accompanied by a suaka hirazogan seal mark. Measuring 6.2 cm in height, 5.4 cm in length, and weighing 91.9 grams, the piece is signed on one side 'Akitatsu Hogen' with a kakihan (kao).
The tsuba dates to the 19th century, within the Edo period, and demonstrates the refined metalworking traditions of Japanese sword fittings.
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
- 6.2 cm
- Length
- 5.4 cm
- Weight
- 91.9 g
- Material
- shibuichi, gold, suaka
- Thickness
- 0.3 cm (mimi), 0.4 cm (seppa-dai)
Technical characteristics
- Form
- aorigata
- Features
- one kozuka hitsu ana, nakago ana with suaka sekigane
Design
- Obverse
- spray of peonies in gold and iro-e takazogan and hirazogan
- Reverse
- shishi carved in katakiribori with suaka hirazogan seal mark
- Signature
- Akitatsu Hogen with kakihan
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
- Sawaki Akitatsu Hogen
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.