Description: Lacquered wood
Japan, Edo period (1603 - 1868)
The edge of this tsuba in mokkogata (lobed form) is slightly raised. The images in takamaki-e with sublime relief on both sides are set against a black-brown seido-nuri background and show a body of water with reeds, low-hanging clouds, the dark, silver full moon and birds in flight. One the side featuring the artist’s signature are two geese on the shore as well as two flying upwards. Even the smallest details are very finely worked; impressive accents in golden kinzogan; the idyllic nature of the scene is expressively poetic. The signature reads YAMA-DA 山 田 TSUNE-YOSHI 帯 嘉 with a kao. This 19th-century lacquer artist is also known by the name SHOKOSAI.
Shape: Lacquered mokkogata tsuba
Dimensions: 8.2 cm (height)
Condition: Good condition with very minor nicks to the edges, restored to invisibility
Provenance: German private collection