C317. Tsuba signed Toyama Minamoto. 7.5 x 7.8 x .4 cm at the rim (thicker at the seppa dai). The nakago hitsu-ana is .9 x 3 cm. The smiths of the Toyama School, Yoriiye and Yoritsugu, were among the earliest of Higo kodogu makers. They are thought to have worked for Kato Kiyomasa (1562 – 1611), the Daimyo of Higo Province before the Hosokawa. Kiyomasa was warlike and austere; demanding a strict regime of martial training for his Samurai. This tsuba reflects Kiyomasa’s austerity in its simple design yet still shows details (single udenuki-ana and large, symetrical ryo hitsu) that are typical of later Higo work.
The udenuki ana is highlighted with silver nunome zogan on the reverse and the rim is very slightly uchikaeshi (raised). Condition is excellent. Was $850; now $600.