Tsuba - Akasaka | 赤坂忠重 - Akasaka den Tadashige

This Akasaka tsuba, most probably made by Tadashige or his disciples presents a refined and decorative interpretation of the Akasaka sukashi tradition, distinguished by its elegant symmetry and controlled ornamentation. The plate is comparatively thinner than earlier Ko-Akasaka works, yet it retains a firm and well-forged character, with a dark patina that suggests careful material selection and confident workmanship.

The design is rhythmically organized around a clear axial structure, with repeating fan-like and clover-shaped elements arranged in a balanced, almost heraldic manner. This sense of order contrasts with the more spontaneous vitality seen in earlier masters and points toward a later, more formalized phase of the school. The sukashi is cleanly cut, with smooth transitions and deliberate contours that emphasize clarity over raw power.

The mimi is neatly finished and consistent in thickness, lacking the pronounced tekotsu of early Akasaka but instead favoring visual cohesion and refinement. The overall impression is one of compositional discipline and decorative confidence, suggesting a piece intended as much for aesthetic appreciation as for functional strength.

The condition is worn, as shown in the pictures.

Taken as a whole, this tsuba reflects Tadashige’s ability to reinterpret established Akasaka vocabulary with a lighter, more elegant touch, marking a clear stylistic progression within the school while maintaining its core identity.

73,4 mm x 79,6 mm x 5,5 mm (Seppa) - 5,6 mm (Mimi), 88,3 g