Iron Tsuba Signed "Issei" (Watanabe) with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu - Wild Geese and Moonlight Shakudo menuki with gold iroe

Shakudo menuki with gold iroe depicting minogame

Carving is a bit crude but relief is incredibly high

Fuchikashira decorated with New Years celebration theme

Published on page 281 of "Tsuba Kanshoki" by Kazutaro Terigoye

From top of the fuchi to center of mekugi hole: 29 mm

Iron Tsuba Signed "Issei" (Watanabe) with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu - Wild Geese and Moonlight Shakudo menuki with gold iroeIron tsuba signed "Issei" with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu. According to the certificate it is made by Watanabe Issei. While we do not know his exact date of birth and death we know he was still active in 1872. He was an adopted son of Hayashi Masamitsu however later moved to Edo and became a student of Funada Ikkin. At the age of 38 he moved to Aizu and became a retainer of Tokugawa Shogunate. Iron tsuba made in Ichijio School style, decorated with wild geese