69 - NORIYUKI: A FINE HAMANO SCHOOL SUAKA ‘HOTEI AND HIS TREASURE BAG’ TSUBA

NORIYUKI: A FINE HAMANO SCHOOL SUAKA ‘HOTEI AND HIS TREASURE BAG’ TSUBA School of Hamano Noriyuki, signed Noriyuki Japan, 19th century, late Edo (1615-1868) to Meiji period (1868-1912) Of tate-marugata form, with one kozuka hitsu-ana, the finely hammered suaka ground skillfully carved in shishiaibori and embellished with gold and silver hirazogan and takazogan, depicting a jovial Hotei leaning against his voluminous treasure bag, scratching his head with an amused expression. Signed NORIYUKI. HEIGHT 6.8 cm, WIDTH 6.2 cm HEIGHT 2.7 cm (nakago-ana) THICKNESS 0.4 cm (seppa-dai) WEIGHT 113.7 g Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Museum comparison: Compare a related tsuba depicting Hotei with a boy attendant, by Ishiguro Yoshikiyo, dated to the mid to late 19th century, 7 cm high, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 19.287. Auction comparison: Compare a related suaka tsuba depicting Hotei with two karako, similarly worked in shishiaibori and enriched with gold takazogan, school of Sugiura Joi, signed Issan Joi with seal, dated to the 19th century, 8.1 cm high, at Galerie Zacke, The Japanese Art Select Sale: Autumn Edition, 2 September 2026, Vienna, lot 97 (sold for EUR 3,380).