Nakagami Motohiro Otsuki school shibuichi tsuba depicting courtiers, late 18th to early 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
This fine Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is attributed to the Otsuki school master Nakagami Motohiro, who also signed his work as Shokatei Motohiro. Dating to the late 18th or early 19th century during the Edo period, the guard is crafted from shibuichi with a polished migakiji ground.
It features a nademarugata, or rounded-rectangular, form. The tsuba is decorated with intricate takazogan (high-relief inlay) using gold, shakudo, and silver to depict a courtier accompanied by a lady holding a hiogi (court fan). This scene is likely a reference to narratives from The Tale of Genji or a poetic uta-awase encounter, both favored themes within the Otsuki school's repertoire. The piece includes a central nakago-ana (blade opening) flanked by a kogai hitsu ana, which is plugged with gold.
The artist's signature and a kakihan are inscribed on one side. The tsuba measures 6.9 cm in height, 6.5 cm in length, and weighs 136.5 grams. It is accompanied by a padded 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
- Height
- 6.9 cm
- Length
- 6.5 cm
- Weight
- 136.5 g
- Material
- shibuichi, gold, shakudo, silver
Technical characteristics
- Form
- nademarugata
- Features
- kogai hitsu ana, gold-plugged kogai hitsu ana
Design
- Decoration
- takazogan (high-relief inlay) depicting a courtier and a lady with a hiogi fan
- Inscriptions
- SHOKATEI MOTOHIRO 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
- Nakagami Motohiro (Shokatei Motohiro)
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.