A shibuichi tsuba
Attributed to Taizan Motozane, 19th century
Of oval form, carved and inlaid with Kanzan and Jittoku standing, holding their scroll and broom beneath the overhanging branches of a withered tree, with slight details in gold, silver and shakudo zogan, signed Sekijoken Motozane with kao.
7.3cm (2 7/8in).
FOOTNOTES
鍔　寒山拾得　銘「赤城軒」「元孚（花押）」　19世紀

There were four generations of sword-fitting makers using this name. The first was born in 1741 and died in 1830 and the last lived from 1846 to 1916. It is unclear which of the four was responsible for the present example, which appears to have been produced during the middle part of the 19th century.

The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art: Part IV, lot 48.