Mokume tsuba by Tansuishi Sankei

Mokume tsuba by Tansuishi Sankei

Signed Tansuishi Sankei, with a gold seal

19th century

Diameter: 7.2 cm

The round iron tsuba with the typical mokume pattern over which a soft-metal cicada is resting.

Mokume is metalworking procedure which produces a distinctive layered pattern from the repeated folding of iron, taking on the appearance of natural wood grain. Tansuishi Sankei is known for this technique and a similar tsuba is in the collection of the British Museum in London.

Recent studies have confirmed the name Tansuishi Sankei was in fact used, together with others, by Kazutsune of Kii province.

Tsuba for sale. Price on application. Please include item stock number: tsu-1336