Two iron and cloisonné-enamel tsuba (sword guards)

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
Both iron, circular, the first with bold nanako-style granulation, decorated in translucent cloisonné enamels with sea fish and shells, signed Yoshitoshi with a kao, the second with a strong mokume grain, decorated in translucent cloisonné enamels and copper with hats and stylised snowflakes, signed Shinto gotetsu ren (Forged five times in ritual purification or forged from an old begging bowl) Myochin Ki no Yoshiobu. Both approx., 7.7cm (3in). (2).

Yoshitoshi appears from the kao to be the same artist as Eiyushi Yoshitoshi (Robert E., Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, Ellwangen, Germany, Nihon Art Publishers, 2001, no.H12200.0), maker of a tsuba in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (correct inv. no. 11.12116), although the techniques used are very different. For an exhaustive discussion of the unusual signature on the second tsuba, see markussesko.com/2013/02/16/about-shinto-gotetsu-inscriptions-on-myochin-works/