HAMANO NORIYUKI II: A MASTERFUL IRON TSUBA DEPICTING A MONKEY AND CRESCENT MOON

By Hamano Noriyuki II (1771-1852), signed Noriyuki
Japan, Hamano school, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Heckmann, Günther (1995) Tsuba, no. T98.

Of nade-kakugata shape, the iron tsuba with a kozuka hitsu-ana, masterfully worked in gold, silver, and copper takazogan, as well as minute katakiri-bori engraving with a monkey seated in a relaxed pose on a rocky outpost, some gold leaves above him and creepers growing along the rock, the reflection of a silver crescent moon below, the still water suggested by the superbly polished surface. The verso shows an engraved pine tree in the rain as well as the signature NORIYUKI.

HEIGHT 8.1 cm, LENGTH 7.4 cm
WEIGHT 146 g

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.

Hamano Noriyuki II (1771-1852) had already been named a master at the age of 16. His work was strongly oriented towards the work of Noriyuki I, a pupil of the famous Hamano Masayuki.