- Tsuba - Aizu Shoami, Horse Flowers, Cherry Tree, NBTHK Hozon

This refined iron tsuba is an accomplished work of the Aizu Shōami school, dating to the mid–late Edo period (18th century), and is accompanied by an NBTHK certificate attributing the piece to Aizu Shōami.

The guard is of round (maru-gata) form with a softly raised rim and a well-forged iron plate exhibiting a warm, dark brown patina. The surface shows subtle hammer texture and natural wear consistent with age, contributing to the quiet elegance typical of Aizu work.

The design depicts a horse playfully dancing across a field, rendered in gentle relief, its animated posture conveying movement and joy. Above, cherry blossoms (sakura) in bloom mark the season of spring, while grasses and bamboo leaves at the lower edge complete the landscape. The motif combines themes of vitality, renewal, and auspicious beginnings, with the horse symbolizing strength and forward momentum, and sakura evoking ephemerality and beauty.

Decoration is executed in low to medium relief carving (takabori) with restrained yet effective use of gold and silver nunome-zōgan to highlight blossoms, leaves, and ground details. The inlay is applied sparingly, in keeping with the Aizu Shōami aesthetic, which favors narrative charm and tasteful contrast over excessive ornamentation.

Stylistically, the piece reflects the hallmark qualities of the Aizu Shōami tradition:

- clear, legible figurative design

- harmonious composition with ample negative space

- a balanced interplay between iron surface and soft-metal accents

The NBTHK attribution confirms the workmanship as a genuine product of the Aizu Shōami lineage, a regional branch of the broader Shōami tradition known for its pictorial themes and reliable, high-quality iron guards.

Dimension

78,4 mm x 82,0 mm x 4,3 mm (Seppa) - 5,0 mm (Mimi), 152 g