A FINE SHIBUICHI TSUBA WITH JUROJIN, OX, AND RAT

A FINE UCHIKOSHI SCHOOL SHIBUICHI TSUBA WITH JUROJIN, OX, AND RAT
By Ichijosai Hirotoshi, signed Hanabusa Itcho zu, Ichijosai, with seal Hirotoshi
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The nagamarugata tsuba showing an unusual design, based on a drawing by Hanabusa Itcho (1652-1724). The front worked in fine iro-e takazogan depicting Jurojin leisurely playing the samisen and riding on an ox which is led by a humanoid rat. The subject is likely a parodic allusion to the Zen Buddhist parable of the ten ox herding pictures.

With an inscription to the back 英一蝶図、一乗斎 with gold seal 弘壽 “Hanabusa Itcho zu, Ichijosai, with seal Hirotoshi“ [Made by Ichijosai with seal Hirotoshi, based on a drawing by Hanabusa Itcho].

SIZE 6.1 x 5.6 cm
WEIGHT 110 g

Condition: Very good condition with typical associated surface wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

The artist is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on page 293 (H 01415.0).

Hanabusa Itcho (1652-1724), founder of the Hanabusa school, was a Japanese painter, calligrapher, and haiku poet.