Beschreibung:

SIX TSUBA (HAND GUARDS)Edo period (1615-1868), 18th to 19th century All iron except the third; the first circular, chiselled in relief with the Yatsuhashi (Eight-Stage Bridge) and irises; the second rounded rectangular, chiselled in katakiribori with a shishi (Chinese mythical lion) on one side and peonies on the other, signed Yoshiteru; the third shibuichi, almost circular, chiselled in katakiribori with the Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Good Fortune) on one side and a pine tree on the other, signed Furukawa Jochin with a kao; the fourth almost circular, pierced with a butterfly and dragonfly and chiselled in relief with narcissi and weeds, signed Inshu no ju Masamitsu; the fifth oval, with details in gold, chiselled in relief with a crane, minogame (bushy-tailed tortoise), rising sun, waves, and clouds, one hitsuana plugged with shakudo; the last rounded rectangular, chiselled in relief with a mountain stream, bamboo, and tiger, signed Choshu Setsusai (perhaps Mitsunori, Haynes 05357). The smallest: 7cm (2¾in) high; the largest: 8.7cm (3 7/16in) high. (6).