A Mito Tsuba depicting the poet Ki no Tsurayuki lost in the rain and mist close to the Shrine of Aritoshi Myojin. The legend tells that once Ki no Tsurayuki was travelling on his horse through the forest when heavy rain started falling and he could not see anymore due to the mist. As he dismounted his horse a temple guard approached him and told him he was riding on the grounds of the Aritoshi Myojin Shrine. He excused himself and had to write a poem to appease the god. The poem he wrote was satisfying to the god such that the weather cleared and he could find his way. The story had become a famous Noh play praising that the gods can be appeased by poetry (Waka).
The design of Aritoshinomiya is quite famous and has been used by Tsuchiya Yasuchika in many of his works.
On the front of this large Tsuba we can see Ki no Tsurayuki under his umbrella holding up the lamp. The heavy rain is shown by diagonal carvings which cover the whole background. The stripes of the rain as well as parts of the clothes of the poet are highlighted with silver Zogan. His face and legs are made from copper and some details are added in gold. On the back we can see the Shrine gate behind the trees and a Shrine lantern. Knowing the history behind the design one can very much feel the dark and misty surroundings the poet lost himself in. The dark iron patina underlines this feeling even more.
The NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho attributes this work to the schools of Mito artists which are famous for their strong iron Tsuba.
Comes with a custom made box and the NBTHK certificate.
H: 86 mm
W: 82 mm
R: 4.4 mm
Sd: 3.6 mm
