"Presented here is a well-forged iron plate tsuba of rounded-square shape with thick lustrous brass inlay of lotus plants. The blossoms, leaves and vines are pre-cast. These pieces are then inserted into 'reservoirs' cut to shape in the plate. There are no sharp edges as might be found on carved inlay. The design of the blossoms and leaves are carved after insertion in the plate. The broad areas of inlay are called suemon-zogan. A masterpiece of this school dating to ca.1700, mid Edo period." (Long)
8.50cm x 8.35cm x 0.45cm |
