A Ko-Kinko Sanmaiawase Tsuba

In the early times of Tsuba production before the emergence of the Edo period Machibori artists, soft metal Tsuba were often made in the ‘Sanmaiawase’ technique. These pieces bear an inner core of a cheaper metal such as copper and outer layers of a more preciouse metal in this case Shakudo. Sometimes the Shakudo outer plates were simply pressed into the negative design recess and thus these Sanmaiawase Tsuba would show the same motif on both sides, as seen in this example. However the maker added gold in Keshikomi Zogan technique to different design elements on both sides, making it appear as if both sides were different from each other. The rim was also made from Shakudo to hide the copper on the inside. This Sanmaiawase Tsuba is thus a remnant of early forms of mass production but still a charming historic item.

Comes with a high quality custom made Kiri box.