Signed 東都小西湖畔之住 道寿拙作
Michitoshi of the shores of Shoseiko in the Eastern Capital, humbly made this
It is suspected to perhaps be a early work of Unno Moritoshi. The use of the unique phrase, “on the shores of Shoseiko in the Eastern Capital”, the use of colored metals on a soft metal base, the similarity of the composition, the use of “toshi” (寿/壽) in the name, and the use of the deprecating terms in the signature indicate a strong link with Unno Moritoshi. MFA Boston Museum lists a Tsuba by Unno Moritoshi (ACCESSION NUMBER 11.5385) with the same phrase “on the shores of Shoseiko in the Eastern Capital”.