尉媼 鉄透鍔
Ghost Theme Iron Sukashi Tsuba
Dimensions: 7.5 cm x 7.2 cm Mimi 6 mm
An iron sukashi taka bori tsuba in the theme of Jo and Uba. This tsuba has nice carving with details in gold nunome and silver inlay. The patina is especially well preserved. The mimi is covered in textured sheet gold that matches the plug of the kozuka-hitsu. This looks to be Mito work. The overall condition is excellent and it dates to the late Edo period.
Jo and Uba are ghosts that endlessly sweep (haunt) the pine groves at Takasago and Sumiyoshi on the Inland sea. Jo is the male of pair and shown with a rake. Uba is the female shown with a broom of twigs. Their legend is the subject of the noh play Takasago. Ghost themed tosogu are intriguing to collect and study.
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