GENCHIN: EXCEPTIONAL INLAID SENTOKU TSUBA WITH HANNYA

GENCHIN: AN EXCEPTIONAL INLAID SENTOKU TSUBA WITH HANNYA
Signed Genchin with kakihan
Japan, 19th century

Of kaku maru gata (rounded square) form with one hitsu, decorated in jibori and takazogan with the female demon Hannya, showing a gleefully fierce expression with a wide-open mouth showing fanglike teeth, distinctive facial features, and long wild hair. The reverse is carved with onibi and shows the artist signature GENCHIN with kakihan. This tsuba is of exceptional quality, the very best work of this master artist. With a padded wood storage box and red-lacquered wood box.

SIZE 8.5 x 7.7 cm
WEIGHT 205.2 g

Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear.
Provenance: Czech private collection.

Auction comparison:
Compare with a related tsuba inscribed Furukawa Genchin and sold by Bonham's London (New Bond Street) in Fine Japanese Art on 16 May 2013, lot 266 (sold for 3,500 GBP).