Signed Katsura Eiju saku
Japan, Bakumatsu (1853-1868) to Meiji period (1868-1912)

Of naga-maru-gata form, finely decorated in relief with katakiri and ke-bori, with rich gold details such as the eyes, some more details worked in iro-e takazogan, and depicting the demon queller Shoki with grim expression and neatly incised wild hair and beard subduing an oni cowering underneath a tattered kasa, the little devil with a tortured expression, the mouth agape, the teeth inlaid in silver and the tongue inlaid in red copper. The reverse further worked extremely fine and signed KATSURA EIJU saku [made by Katsura Eiju].

HEIGHT 8.4 cm
WEIGHT 288 g

Condition: Very good condition with expected surface wear and traces of use.
Provenance: French private collection.

Katsura Eiju is listed on page 31 in the TOSO KINKO JITEN by Wakayama Takeshi. Katsura Eiju was born in Kurume, Chikugo Province (modern Fukuoka Prefecture), and worked as an official retainer artist at the Arima Daimyo Family of the Kurume Domain. He studied under Yokoya Eisei and Yokoya Soyo. This influence is clearly visible in the present piece, the use of katakiri-bori is masterful.

Auction comparison:
A closely related bakumatsu tsuba of similar size and depicting Shoki and oni, was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese At, 17 May 2012, London, lot 7 (sold for 6,875 GBP).