Nobuie Tsuba

Steve Waszak · August 19

This is not, of course, one of THE Nobuie greats from the Momoyama age (hence the missing zeroes from the asking price here ), but it certainly is heavily influenced by their designs and workmanship. This is a somewhat extended mokko-gata iron sword guard, featuring a botanical motif, specifically vines and gourds on the ura, and what appears to be trumpet vine on the omote (unless the flowers depicted also belong to the same plant that produces gourds ). The motif is rendered in a sukidashi-bori manner to which has been added a yakite and/or acid treatment finish, making for a very pleasing overall effect. The plate surface around the motif elements is modeled subtly with a gently rendered tsuchime, which also is softened with the yakite/acid finish. The rim of the tsuba is finished with a kikko (tortoise shell pattern). The hitsu-ana are plugged with what I believe is lead. This Nobuie is a little hard to place. There were several later (Edo Period) Nobuie working in areas such as Owari, Echizen, Akasaka, and Kaga, among others. I can't say which one this smith may be, though the forming of the mei appears closest to Echizen or Akasaka Nobuie. Dimensions are 7.4cm x 6.7cm x 5mm. $240.00 plus shipping.