Introduction of the tsuba from Wakeido Item Number: T380702 Title: Mouko zu Tsuba Signature: Kingyokudo myochin Hirosada (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 72.7mm Width 65.5mm Thickness 4.5mm Period: Late Edo AD 1830–1860 School: Mito kinko Uchikoshi school Description Mito is one of the Tokugawa Gosanke and a castle town with a production of 350,000 koku. Here, a group known as Mito kinko flourished, forming the Mito carving style and producing numerous master craftsmen such as Motosuke, Ichiryu Tomoyoshi, Mikuru Tamagawa, Uchikoshi Hirosada, and Hagiya Katsuhira. Uchikoshi Hirosada is the foremost disciple of Hirosu and is known as Kingyokudo and Shugen-sai. He is skilled in high relief carvings of figures and plants, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. This piece features a magnificent high relief of a fierce tiger on a quarter plate, and the carving of the river on the reverse side also demonstrates remarkable skill.