Tsuba with cherry blossoms

By Gotō Tsunemasa, ca. 1800-50

Signature: Bushu ju Tsunemasa

武州住常正

7.3 x 7 x 0.45 cm

Nakamura Tsunemasa was a student of Gotō Seijō and was thus authorized by the master to use the prestigious Gotō name. Later, Tsunemasa moved to Wakayama, Kii Province, and was active in the late Edo period, working in both the Bushū Ito style and the master's style. 

This tsuba is decorated with cherry blossoms and is made of well-forged iron, with nunome-kin gold highlights on the petals.