Kiryūsai Sōmin Cloisonné Enamel-Decorated Shibuichi Tsuba
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
This shibuichi tsuba, or sword hand guard, is a fine example of Japanese metalwork dating to the 19th century Edo period. The slightly oval plate is crafted from shibuichi, a copper-silver alloy known for its distinct patina.
It is intricately decorated with motifs depicting instruments used in the No drama. The decorative scheme employs kebori, a fine hair-line engraving technique, combined with flush inlays crafted from copper, gold, and vibrant colored enamels secured with delicate gold wire. The tsuba serves both a functional and ornamental purpose, traditional for samurai swords of the period. It bears the signature of the maker, Kiryūsai Sōmin, accompanied by a kaō, a stylized personal seal.
The object measures 2 13/16 inches (7.1 cm) in height and is preserved within its original wood tomobako storage box, reflecting the high cultural value placed on such masterfully executed martial accoutrements during the Edo era.
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
- Material
- Shibuichi, copper, gold, enamel
- Dimensions
- 7.1 cm
Design
- Signature
- Kiryūsai Sōmin with a kaō
- Technique
- Kebori, flush inlays
- Decoration
- No drama instruments
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
- Kiryūsai Sōmin
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.