Tsuba - 赤坂 Akasaka Tadatoki 8th Master - Musasino grass and dew drops

This finely carved iron tsuba, attributed to Akasaka Tadatoki, is most plausibly the work of the seventh master of the Akasaka school and depicts Musashino reeds, a classical poetic theme associated with autumnal fields and quiet melancholy. The composition is restrained yet expressive: slender reeds emerge rhythmically across the plate, their forms rendered with confident chiseling that balances strength and elegance. The iron shows a well-forged, compact plate with a subdued patina, while subtle carving marks remain visible, enhancing the sense of handwork and vitality. Negative space is used with great sensitivity, allowing the reeds to breathe and reinforcing the feeling of wind moving through an open plain. Overall, the tsuba exemplifies the later Akasaka aesthetic—technically accomplished, formally disciplined, and intellectually refined—where natural motifs are reduced to their essence without sacrificing depth or atmosphere.

Dimension

68,2 mm x 72,7 mm x 4,5 mm (Seppa) - 4,8 mm (Mimi), 57,2 g