Property from the collection of Clarence McKenzie Lewis Jr.
A Mito school iron tsuba
By Ichiryu Tomohisa, 19th century
The rounded rectangular iron plate carved with a design of a hanging scroll of Shoki glaring at an oni cowers beneath a bamboo flower vase, rendered in nikubori, sukashi bori and copper and gold inlays, signed Ichiryu Tomohisa and with kao and inscribed Sesshu and sealed Toyo

With an early Hozon Tosogu (Sword fitting worthy of preserving) certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The society for the preservation of the Japan art sword) and an explanation in English written by Hosokawa Moritatsu, president of the Nihon Sword Preservation Society.
2 7/8in (7.3cm) long
FOOTNOTES
This tsuba is after a design by Sesshu Toyo.