Kinko Sukashi Tsuba
K0094
Circumstances have put this back on the market. A large shinchu sukashi tsuba 8.12 cm. x 7.68 cm. x 4.1 mm. Excellent condition. The tegane would indicate that this is a Kamiyoshi school piece. Purchased out of Germany some five years ago, with a compromised patina, so this was professionally recolored. As per Robert Haynes, "A very strange tsuba, to say the least. The Higo never did open work in brass. A Higo design, by an Umetada smith. The Umetada traveled all over, and copied everyone. If there was an artist making a tsuba, there would be an Umetada and a Shoami standing there watching them". "The tegane seem to be saying I want everyone to know I made this, but we don't know who that is." Dates 1800 or a bit later. $1,250
An Example of a Higo Rakuju signature tegane.
Toso Kodogu Koza Vol. 7, page 258