Tsuba - Edo Mito 無銘(水戸) Willow and waterfowl - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon
Tsuba - no sign. Edo Mito 無銘(水戸)
Willow and waterfowl - backside willow and drying fishnets. Alternatively ghis could be related to Kanazawa tree structures.
made of soft metal Shibuichi (one quarter silver), round shape, fantastic shakud, Copper, Gold and Yamagane inlay.
This tsuba is an oval iron guard decorated with shibuichi, shakudō, copper, and gold inlay, depicting a waterfowl standing on a rocky bank above flowing water, with another bird swimming below. The composition uses high-relief iroe takazōgan and fine katakiribori to create detailed feathers, dynamic currents, and subtle gold highlights. Its naturalistic bird depiction, dramatic yet balanced layout, and refined mixed-metal work are characteristic of late Edo Mito-style craftsmanship. Based on stylistic features—especially the realistic modeling of the waterfowl and the characteristic engraving—the piece aligns most strongly with the mainline Mito school (水戸派 / Kodai Mito 古代水戸), with additional similarity to the Ichinomiya/Kawabe branch (一の宮派 / 川辺派).
Attribution to the Kikugawa school (菊川派) or Hamano-influenced Mito artists (浜野系水戸派) is possible but less likely.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Dimension: 59,1 mm x 65,9 mm x 3,6 mm (4,3 mm) 95,5 g
