Five shakudo tsuba (sword guards)

Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th/19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th/19th century
All except the fifth almost circular, the first with nanako ground, chased and inlaid in gold and silver with a shishi and peonies growing by a rock, unsigned; the second chased in relief and with gilt decoration depicting a dragon and clouds and tiger and bamboo, unsigned; the third with nanako ground, chased and inlaid in gold, silver, and copper with Ariwara no Narihira and a companion picnicking by the Yatsuhashi (Eight-Stage Bridge) from Ise monogatari (The Tales of Ise), signed Isshinsai Tachibana Akimitsu with a gold seal Aki; the fourth chased and inlaid in gold and silver with Jittoku lying asleep by his broom and a smiling Kanzan rolling up his scroll, signed Rinsendo with a gold seal; the fifth mokko with a gilt fukurin and ryohitsu liners, chased and inlaid in gold, silver, and copper with eight horses by a stream, unsigned; each with a wood storage box. Each approx., 7.2cm (2 13/16in). (10).