Iron Tsuba with Emma-O
An excellent iron tsuba of free form with a striking image of Emma-O, the king of hell, clutching his magisterial robe and wearing his characteristic two-tiered hat, a small demon crouching at his side. On the reverse, a sign attached to gold ropes features a lively tai heavily detailed in gold and shibuichi. The imagery on this tsuba, front and back, is in high relief with gold, shakudo and shibuichi detailing. Iron in very good condition, minor wear to Emma-O’s hat, commensurate with age and wear. Incised Ishiguro Masami signature on reverse. Diameter: 3.25″ Meiji Period, Japan