42 - A FINE MYOCHIN SCHOOL IRON ‘NOBUIE KABUTO’ TSUBA

A FINE MYOCHIN SCHOOL IRON ‘NOBUIE KABUTO’ TSUBA By a member of the Myochin School, inscribed Nobuie Japan, 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) With an Hozon Tosogu (worthy of preservation) certificate of the NBTHK, dated 27 October Heisei 20, [2008], with the description ‘Nobuie Kabuto tsuba’, mumei (unsigned), and from the Myochin school. Of aoigata form, with one kozuka and kogai hitsu-ana, carved in takabori and sukidashi with gold takazogan in the shape of a helmet, the surface detailed with overlapping plates and rivets rising to a tehen kanamono, the maedate in the form of a demon face. The reverse with an applied loop ring and the honorific inscription Nobuie, referring to the historical armorer Myochin Nobuie rather than constituting a maker’s signature. HEIGHT 8.5 cm, WIDTH 7.9 cm HEIGHT 2.8 cm (nakago-ana) THICKNESS 0.4 cm (seppa-dai) WEIGHT 142 g Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Myochin Nobuie (active 16th century) was one of the most important early makers of iron tsuba and is traditionally associated with the Myochin lineage of armorers. The Tokyo National Museum describes him as a craftsman specializing in tsuba in Owari Province during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. He is also regarded as one of the earliest tsuba makers to sign his work, helping establish the signed iron guard as an individual artistic object rather than merely a functional fitting. Works attributed or inscribed to Nobuie are preserved in major collections including the Tokyo National Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related iron tsuba, signed Nobuie, dated to the 19 th century, 8.6 cm tall, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 March 2008, New York, lot 279 (sold for USD 3,750 or approx. EUR 5,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).