Echizen Kinai Dragon Tsuba

DM001

SOLD

A large unsigned classic early Echizen Kinai work..    Atoboribori and honzogan.  There is a feature that I have never come across, the dragon's whisker on the reverse is free floating, and a different iron from the rest of the plate.  8.4 cm x 8.4 cm x 5 mm.          

The early Kinai made very detailed and artful pieces. They were also horimono carvers for the Yasutsugu sword smiths, who were allowed to sign with part of the hollyhock of the   Tokugawa mon.    The later Kinai became less attached to the classic  style and morphed into what could be taken for Shoami work.     

Reef.  Wakayama Toso Kodogu Meiji Taisei   Vol  3, Pages 116 - 118.   Haynes, Nihon Toso Kinko Daijiten  Vol. 1, pages  658 & 659                 

 Free floating whisker

Horimono on Yasutsugu swords

Nihon Toso Kinko Daijiten