Shibuichi Tsuba depicting Rakan Hattara Sonja by Uchikoshi Hirochika
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
This Japanese sword guard, or tsuba, is a mid-19th-century Edo period work created by the artist Uchikoshi Hirochika. Constructed from shibuichi with a polished (migakiji) surface, the tsuba features an elaborate decorative program utilizing various metalwork techniques.
The obverse depicts the Rakan Hattara Sonja holding a fan, accompanied by his attendant and a tiger, set within an idyllic landscape complete with a waterfall and scrolling clouds. The reverse features the roof of a cottage tucked behind a gnarled branch amidst misty clouds. The imagery is rendered through takazogan (high-relief inlay) in gold, shakudo, and copper, supplemented by precise katakiribori and kebori carving.
The piece is of nagamarugata form, measuring 6.4 cm in height and 6 cm in length, with a thickness of 0.3 cm at the mimi and 0.4 cm at the seppa-dai. It features a single kozuka hitsu ana and a nakago ana fitted with suaka sekigane. The piece is signed on one side, "Shiunsai Hirochika," accompanied by a kao mark.
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
- 6.4 cm
- Length
- 6 cm
- Weight
- 108.4 g
- Material
- shibuichi, gold, shakudo, copper, suaka
- Thickness mimi
- 0.3 cm
- Thickness seppa dai
- 0.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Form
- nagamarugata
- Features
- one kozuka hitsu ana, nakago ana with suaka sekigane
- Techniques
- takazogan, katakiribori, kebori
Design
- Obverse
- Rakan Hattara Sonja with fan, attendant, and tiger in landscape with waterfall
- Reverse
- cottage roof behind gnarled branch and clouds
- Inscription
- Shiunsai Hirochika with kao
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
- Uchikoshi Hirochika
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.