The design of this Tsuba is called Mitsu-ura (Fish net). The fine mesh of the net covers the whole Tsuba and is minutely carved into the iron. The rim is rather wide giving this piece a very strong or bold appearance.
This is a fine example of a Higo Tsuba. The Mitsu-ura was a popular design among Higo schools and we can see such Tsuba by Shimizu and Nishigaki as well (see ‘Works of Kanshiro Nishigaki’ by Ito Mitsuru No. 25). Comparing this work to a similar Tsuba by the second generation Hayashi Shigemitsu (see ‘Early Japanese Sword Guards Sukashi Tsuba’ by Sasano Masayuki No. 183) we can see that the net is similar in symmetric execution. Among the Higo artists the Hayashi School produced the most perfect ones of this type.
Taking into consideration the difficulty of cutting iron it must have taken the craftsman several weeks just to cut the motif into the plate which makes these pieces even more astonishing.
This Tsuba is attributed to Hayashi by the NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho.
Comes with a high grade custom made box.
