S-103 Choshu Hagi Ju Nyudo Tomokiyo Tsuba

Iron tsuba signed Choshu Hagi Ju Nyudo Tomokiyo and published in both the Tosogu Shinsa No Shiori and new Kinko Meikan.
Design of fans with plum sukashi on one side and matsu pine on the other. Top and bottom design of fans in kin nunome zogan. The rim work in raimon zogan (thunder).  This raimon technique was first orginated by Umetada Myjou and can also be seen in works by the Odawara Ito. Iron is done in polished migaki-ji and has a deep dark patina.

Tomokiyo is a Jokko rated smith and is easy to see why. He later became the head of the Yaji Choshu line. It is a misnomer of sorts in the West when it comes to estimating the abilities of the Choshu school. Part of the reason was the school was so successful that it had many students and branches that were prolific at turning out tsuba. Do not forget that within the Choshu style there are many great artisans as well who produced high quality work. We would humbly submit that this tsuba published in the Tosogu Shinsa No Shiori is one such piece. This signature is also used as a reference in the new Kinko Meikan (page 225).

Choshu tsuba have a strong Shoami influenece and are considered to have derived from Umetada Myjou. It formed when the Okada family (who was related to Umetada Myjou) moved from Kyoto and formed with the Kawaji, Nakai, and Okamato families to create "Choshu" tsuba. Choshu  tsuba were the special export item of note from the Hagi area and were subsidized by the local government to produce the tsuba. From Genroku to Kyoho periods, Choshu tsuba were very large, round and very powerful. As time goes on the quality of the tsuba begins to worsen. Gradually the tsuba get smaller and start to have variation in shapes such as nagamaru-gata and show influences from other schools such as Bushu.

1700-1750

Signed Choshu Hagi Ju Nyudo Tomokiyo - Published
                                               
83.7 mm x 84.1 mm x 3.7 mm

HOLD