Naohide was a student of the Yanagawa school master Naomasa the founder of the Yanagawa school. He was active in the mid Edo period around 1750. His works and are a bit rare and information about him is scarce. We can assume that he was mainly working for the mainline masters of the school and thus would not come to create many pieces of his own. However, we can see here that he was very well able to create great items.
We have a Shakudo Nanako Tsuba here with a large Shishi in gold uttori technique. The Peony is covered with silver and gold highlights. Most of the relief is high Takabori but we can see some parts being flat or even diving below the base plate. A fine circular Nanako is covering the piece also around the rim. It is attributed to Naohide by the NBTHK Hozon certificate.
This Tsuba displays a very classic design which we can find on many items throughout the ages. The Shishi and Botan (sacred lion and peony flower) design carries the meaning of a perfect match, the lion being the strongest of the animals and the peony the most beautiful flower. Already in ancient China the lion became the guardian figure defending against evil spirits and was placed in front of the palaces and shrines and we can see two Shishi in front of almost every Shinto shrine today in Japan. But there is another reason why we see the Shishi and the Peony together so often. The Peony was used as a medical plant and would specifically be able to cure certain insect bites. Now the Shishi, while being the king of the animals had to fear no other animals, they were however weak to the bites of insects in his fur which is why they would come to rest next to the Peonies which would keep them from being bitten.
Comes with the NBTHK Hozon certificate and a custom made high class Kiri box.
H: 6.4 cm
W: 5.75 cm
Sd: 3.9 mm
R: 3.8 mm
