52 - SUGIOKA IKKEN: A SUPERB GOTO ICHIJO SCHOOL IRON TSUBA OF MOUNT FUJI, WITH NBTHK CERTIFICATE

SUGIOKA IKKEN: A SUPERB GOTO ICHIJO SCHOOL IRON TSUBA OF MOUNT FUJI, WITH NBTHK CERTIFICATE By Sugioka Ikken, signed Chikkasha Ikken with kakihan Japan, second half of the 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) to Meiji period (1868-1912) The tsuba is accompanied by an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon [Especially Worthy of Preservation] certificate, no. 220695, dated 25 July Heisei 2 [1990], attributing the tsuba to Chikkasha Ikken, with a photo of the tsuba and the seal of the NBTHK. Of nagamarugata form, with two hitsu-ana, the nakago-ana fitted with silver sekigane, the iron plate finely worked in sukidashibori with an atmospheric landscape of Mount Fuji rising majestically beyond a tranquil lake and pine trees. The mountain’s broad slopes and towering summit are delicately picked out in gold and silver hirazogan, their subtle luminosity contrasting beautifully with the dark iron ground, while the landscape is framed by a boldly worked uchikaeshi mimi. Signed CHIKKASHA IKKEN with kakihan. HEIGHT 7.2 cm, WIDTH 6.7 cm HEIGHT 2 cm (nakago-ana) THICKNESS 0.4 cm (seppa-dai) WEIGHT 88 g Condition: Excellent condition. Sugioka Ikken (1832-1904) is listed in Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p.383-384 (H 01861.0). He was a student of Goto Ichijo. Auction comparison: Compare a related iron tsuba of the Goto Ichijo school, signed Chikuunsha and sealed Ryu, dated to the late 19th century, finely worked with a heron standing in a stream among aquatic plants in takabori and gold and silver takazogan, 8.3 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 20 March 2007, New York, lot 291 (sold for USD 2,400 or approx. EUR 3,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).