Description
This elegant Edo-period kinko tsuba, crafted in shibuichi, presents a quiet and beautifully balanced landscape in takabori with tasteful gold iroe highlights. Formed in a soft mokko-gata outline, the design shows a gently curving tree trunk on the right, with two small birds perched upon it and a third bird resting on the upper branch. Along the lower edge, a flowing stream—indicated with delicate gold inlay—hosts a fourth bird standing at the waterline.
The reverse continues the serene theme with a single tree and the continuation of the stream, executed with the same understated refinement. The warm, deep patina of the shibuichi ground and the crispness of the carving reflect the sensibilities of high-quality Edo kinko work: intimate, poetic, and crafted with quiet mastery.
This is a charming piece to enjoy in hand—subtle, contemplative, and rich in small details that reward close study.
Kantei (Attribution Considerations)
Based on the shibuichi base, the fine takabori, the naturalistic birds, and the restrained Edo-period composition, the following schools are the most plausible:
Mito School – highly likely; known for elegant nature scenes with birds, shibuichi grounds, and gold highlights.
Yanagawa School (Mito sub-school) – also strong; delicate carving and subtle iroe typical.
Hamano School – refined natural motifs and soft, poetic compositions align well with this piece.
Nara School – possible, though their works often show slightly more narrative complexity.
Overall, Mito / Yanagawa or Hamano are the most convincing attributions.
Dimension 60,6 mm x 60,4 mm x 3,7 mm (3,0 mm), 81,7 g
