C319. Iron tsuba signed Yatsushiro Jingo Saku. 6.7 x 7.1 x .4 cm. The nakago hitsu-ana is .8 x 2.6 cm. Ito Mitsuru has included this tsuba in his book, Works of Hirata and Shimizu. This is what he has to say (translation by Markus Sesko). “The ground of the front and back side is fully taken with the motif of a rather concretely interpreted fukuro-giku (pouch chrysanthemum local to Higo). The surface shows not many unevenenes (sic) and the application of yakite (melted surface) is seen only through a fine unevenness and rotund areas. But this are the features which make out the admiration and high value of this tsuba. It was probably made for a special order because the signature is located on the back side.”
Mr. Ito has given this to the 4th Jingo master. There is a silver nunome zogan on the kiku, a slver pillow in the open ryo-hitsu, and the other hitsu is plugged with lead. This tsuba comes in a fitted box with a pillow and a Hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo, which is dated 2012. Excellent condition. $3,000.