Sword guard, iron tsuba, Namitoshi, Japan, 1750-1800

NAMITOSHI: AN IRON TSUBA WITH NASUBI By Namitoshi (active c. 1750-1800), signed Namitoshi Japan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of marugata form, with two kogai hitsu ana, one plugged in shakudo, the three nasubi (eggplant) of shakudo and nikubori with gold hirazogan. The mimi decorated in gold nunomezogan with brocade patterns. Signed Kofu ju NAMITOSHI [Namitoshi, resident of Kofu].

HEIGHT 7.3 cm, LENGTH 7 cm WEIGHT 120.7 g Provenance: Ex-collection Soame Jenyns (1904-1976). From an old private collection, Northern Germany, acquired from the above. The nakago ana lacquered to the inner rim with a collector’s number ‘719’. Roger Soame Jenyns (1904-1976) was the assistant chief at the British Museum in the Oriental Art department between 1931-1967. He collected a huge variety of oriental objects, including Japanese lacquer, sword fittings and netsuke. Namitoshi (c. 1750-1800) is listed in Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p.1309 (H 06581.0). He often decorated tsuba with a gold nunome rim such as the present piece.