MOTOZANE: A SUPERB TSUBA WITH SHOKI AND ONI KING

TAIZAN MOTOZANE: A SUPERB MITO SCHOOL INLAID SHINCHU (BRASS) TSUBA WITH SHOKI AND ONI KING
Signed Taizan Motozane with kakihan
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Of kaku-maru-gata form with a raised rim, finely decorated in shishiaibori, katakiri, and copper and gold takazogan against the shinchu ishime ground, depicting Shoki standing on a rocky outpost and looking up towards the king of oni, an imposing and ferocious demon, threatening him from within the clouds above, the other side with a waterfall and the signature TAIZAN MOTOZANE with a kakihan.

HEIGHT 8.4 cm
WEIGHT 196.3 g

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and few minuscule nicks to the edges.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. Henry Guinness de Laszlo (1901-1967).

Taizan Motozane (1741-1830) was the founder of the Taizan Sekijoken family school, see Haynes, Robert (2001) The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, no. H 06004.

Auction comparison:
Compare a similar inlaid sentoku tsuba with Hannya, showing a very similar expression to the oni king on the present tsuba, signed Genchin, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 28 October 2020, Vienna, lot 71 (sold for 9,760 EUR).