BUNSHOSEI: A SUPERB INLAID SENTOKU TSUBA DEPICTING A CHINESE GENERAL

Sold for €19,500

including Buyer’s Premium

Lot details

By Shinoda Bunsho (Shinoda Fumikatsu), signed Minami Umekawa 南 梅川 Bunshosei 文勝生
Japan, late 19th century

Of kaku-marugata shape, finely worked in silver and gold takazogan as well as katakiribori and kebori to depict a Chinese general, dressed in a voluminous robe decorated with a dragon amid scrolling clouds, the hilt of his sword terminating in a phoenix head peeking out, all above neatly hammered licking flames.

The reverse finely engraved in katakiribori and kebori with a landscape featuring a dignitary standing atop a rocky outcrop looking toward a cockerel perched on a wardrum, a symbol of peace. The recto signed Minami Umekawa BUNSHOSEI.

HEIGHT 8.3 cm, LENGTH 7.7 cm
WEIGHT 210 g

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.

Bunshosei is listed in Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on p. 63 (H00238.0). He was originally from Mito, lived and worked in Tokyo, and was a student of Namekasa Sadakatsu. The inscription “Minami Umekawa” likely relates to a studio name or a location where the artist worked.