埋忠

Umetada Tsuba

NBTHK Hozon

Dimensions:  76 mm x 76 mm, 5mm mimi

A large iron sukashi tsuba in the theme of nails and a single plum blossom. This tsuba has been attributed to the Umetada school by the NBTHK. The body of work of the Umetada school is probably the most diverse among all tsuba-ko. Works in various soft metals with hira-zogan or takabori and tsuba with an iron ji, and also with 3 dimensional elements such as this example are known. This guard has an octagon shape and maru-mimi. The iron is dense and hammered - but smoothed from age and use - making an irrefutable charm. The Umetada smiths were active throughout most the Edo period. This guard looks to date to earliest time of their production, circa early 17th century. This theme has been addressed as being hidden Christian in nature by some students. With three nails presented front facing on each side, representing the nails that nailed Christ to the cross. Two for the hands and one for the feet. Accompanied by a NBTHK Hozon paper and a custom fitted kiri-bako.

$2600

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