By Ishiguro Koretsune, signed Ishiguro Koretsune
Japan, Ishiguro school, c. 1850, Edo period (1615-1868)

The iron tsuba of mokkogata shape with a kogai hitsu-ana, with copper sekigane, decorated in ito-sukashi, iro-e takazogan of gold, sentoku, and copper, depicting a dramatic image of a rakan surrounded by a halo and holding up a gold image of Buddha on a lotus throne, a three-star constellation above. The verso shows an oni mask and a gold cartouche housing the signature ISHIGURO KORETSUNE. The character Dai 大 (great) is carved several times into the composition.

HEIGHT 9.2 cm, LENGTH 8.5 cm
WEIGHT 167 g

Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear.

The artist is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on pp. 721-722 (H 03488.0) and was a son of the first Masatsune (H 04751.0), founder of the famous Ishiguro school.