43 - A LARGE AND RARE IRON ‘NOZARASHI’ TSUBA

A LARGE AND RARE IRON ‘NOZARASHI’ TSUBA Unsigned Japan, 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of hirakakugata form, with one kozuka and kogai hitsu-ana, the tsuchimeji ground carved in takabori with gold and silver takazogan, featuring a skull and bones to one side and the crescent moon to the reverse. HEIGHT 8.6 cm, WIDTH 8.2 cm HEIGHT 2.8 cm (nakago-ana) THICKNESS 0.3 cm (seppa-dai) WEIGHT 180 g Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. The striking subject of this guard, a battlefield strewn with the bones of long-dead warriors, evokes the Buddhist awareness of impermanence, mujo, and the transient nature of worldly glory. The skull and scattered bones form the traditional nozarashi motif, recalling the remains of fallen warriors and the inevitability of death. Set against the crescent moon, the composition strikes a poignant balance between mortality and the enduring cycles of nature. The unusually large, square form of the present tsuba is particularly noteworthy. During the Edo period, large square sword guards were reportedly prohibited under regulations governing samurai sword mountings, as their angular outlines were considered capable of serving as footholds when scaling walls. Nevertheless, square guards continued to be produced, making the bold hirakakugata form of the present example particularly distinctive. Auction comparison: Compare a related iron tsuba with skull and bones, signed Iwata Norisuke II, 8.6 cm tall, at Bonhams, The Samurai Sale, 22 October 2009, New York, lot 3062 (sold for USD 1,952 or approx. EUR 2,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).