Tsba in Shibuici with gold, silver and shakudo detailing 7.64 cm x 7.53 cm x 0.49 cm

Two butterflies , three spiders webs and large dragonfly on a fine Ishime ground.

Signed Nara Tadashige and Jochiku with a kao . This is therefore a dai-saku work from the Nara and Murakami Schools from the 19th cent.

Looks considerably better in hand than in photographs – the very fine Ishime giving a matt surface finish , very evenly applied . The webs glow and almost jump out from the tsuba in the right light and the detailing on the insects is very well done.

Just as a bonus , the dragonfly’s eyes are inlaid with a striking green iridescent mother of pearl/ abalone , that really stand out .

Have been unable to place Nara Tadashige – does not appear to be shown in the genealogies book . Also there are two artists shown as signing Jochiku in the Murakami school….

Any Haynes or Wakayama references would , as usual , be much appreciated.

source: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/34920-a-series-of-fittings-or-how-not-to-build-a-collection/page/8/