Introduction of Tsuba from Wakedō

Item Number: E380701

Title: Ohsyukubai Tsuba

Signature: Hohshinsai Toshikage
Ganji koushi ki aki (kao) AD1864

Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu

Dimensions: Length 66mm Width 58.5mm Thickness 2.5mm

Period: AD1864

School: Touryusai school

Explanation
The Touryusai school was founded by Kiyotoshi Tanaka, who was born in the first year of the Bunka era and was known to have connections with Haruaki Hōgen. The school developed a clever style known as the Touryusai style, training many disciples, including Toshikage, Toshimune, and Toshimura.
Toshikage, also known as Matsugorō Morikawa, used the names Hohshinsai and Hōmei-sai, creating animal and plant designs in the Touryusai style. His skills were high, and he was a fine craftsman of the Touryusai school.
This piece is a tsuba depicting the Ohsyukubai (plum tree) in the Touryusai style, featuring a silver inlay with a carved design on the back, which is very characteristic of the Touryusai style. It showcases the craftsmanship of Toshikage and is a remarkable piece with significant age.

Ohsyukubai
During the reign of Emperor Murakami, the emperor ordered a magnificent plum tree from the residence of Ki no Tsurayuki's daughter because the plum tree in Seiryōden had withered. The daughter replied with a poem, saying, "If it is the emperor's command, I will gladly offer it, but what should I say if the nightingale that visits every year asks, 'Where is my home?'" The emperor was moved by this elegant response and returned the plum tree to its original garden.