Iron sukashi tsuba attributed by Kazutaro Torigoye to Nishigaki Kanshiro II (二代西垣勘四郎), with the classic 3-storied pine motif or sankai-matsu (三階松図). Iron plate, with a luscious deep brown patina. Iron is of highest quality, very likely sourced from an armorer, with clear, fine horizontal laminations present on the plate and most obviously on the reverse side in the uppermost pine. The surface has been finely burnished and edges pleasingly rounded and sloped for a 3D effect. The outer rim evokes the old, gnarled character of a mature, sculpted pine. A truly exceptional tsuba, very rarely encountered.
Torigoye's hako-gaki attestation in the upper right includes a rare vertical red seal, which he used for pieces encountered in Japan, which he felt were masterpieces.
Box Lid:
無銘二代西垣勘四郎 (Mumei,
Nidai Nishigaki Kanshiro) – Unsigned by Nishigaki Kanshiro II
鉄地 (Tetsu-ji)
– Iron ground
三階松
(Sankai-matsu) – 3 storied pine
径二寸九分,
二寸八分 (Kei:
ni-sun kyu-bu, ni-sun hachi-bu) –
Diameter: ~8.8cm x
8.5cm
右正真也 (Migi
shōshin nari) – Above described object is authentic
昭和廾九年十一月三日 – November 3rd 1954
草堂 – Sōdō + kaō
Early Edo Period (江戸前期), 17th century.
SOLD
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