Sword guard with design of cherry blossoms, flowers, time and birds under moonlight.
Tenkodo Hidekuni
Tenkodo Hidekuni
Height: 70.6mm / Width: 64.4mm / Kiriba base thickness: 3.4mm
Weight: 96g
Attachment: Joint box (with Hidekuni’s signature)
Certificate of Authenticity for specially preserved swords and accessories
Late Edo period

Kawahara Hayashi. Formerly known as Nakagawa. He was born in Yonago, Hoki Province, in the 8th year of Bunsei (1818). His father is said to have been an engraver. He went to Kyoto to become a student of Shuko and later married his second daughter, who became his heir-in-law. He inherited the second generation of the Kawahara Hayashi family and was a good craftsman who decorated the latter part of the Otsuki school. After the Meiji Restoration, he worked as a wholesaler at the Kyoto Prefectural Government’s Industrial Promotion Office and handled other metal works such as ornaments, in addition to swords and other accessories. The family business of metal engraving was succeeded by his son Hidemutsumi. He lived in Kyoto.

This sword mount is presented in a kyobako (gift box) with a note by Tenkodo Shukoku himself, showing the care with which it has been passed down through the generations. This sword, with its fine iron finish, is a masterpiece that beautifully combines winter and spring in a single sword mount. The front is richly engraved with a crescent moon and willow trees with snow on their branches, and the back is engraved with cherry blossoms peeking out from the haze and a tokidori (a bird of prey) flying over them with great expression.

月下柳樹桜花時鳥図鐔
天光堂秀國
Tenkodo Hidekuni
縦：70.6mm / 横：64.4mm / 切羽台厚：3.4mm
重さ 96g
附属 ： 共箱（秀國箱書）
特別保存刀装具鑑定書
江戸末期

川原林氏。旧姓は中川氏。代蔵と言う伯耆國米子の出身で、文政八年三月とうかに生まれた。父も彫金家であったと伝えている。京都に行って秀興の門人となり、のちにその次女と結婚して義嗣子となる。川原林家の二代目を相続し、大月派の掉尾を飾った良工である。明治維新後には京都府の勧業場卸用係などを務め、刀装具以外の置物などの金工作品を手掛け、明治24年9月27日に67歳で没し、京都西大谷墓地に葬られた。家業の彫金は実子の秀睦が継承。京都住。

この鐔には天光堂秀國本人による箱書きある共箱が添えられており、大切に伝来してきた様が窺い知れます。鉄味が良いこの鐔は、表に三日月、雪を幹枝に乗せた柳を情緒豊かに彫り上げ、裏には霞から顔を覗かせる桜花と、その上を気ままに飛び交う時鳥（ほととぎす）を高い表現力で刻し、冬と春とを見事に一枚の鐔に現した名品です。