Tsuba Maru Gata With A Decoration Of A Goose In Flight Under The Moon - Edo Period - D. 7,4cm.

Tsuba (Japanese sword guard) of katana Late Edo/early Meiji period (circa 1850-1880) Signature Kotobuki saku 寿 作 + golden kakihan Material Iron, gold and copper inlay Decor Taro leaves and moon (obverse) and crane and rods (reverse) Style Japanese metal school, Gotō or Nara influence Symbolic Moon and crane = serenity, longevity, natural beauty The style (finely patinated iron, soft relief, occasional gold inlays for the moon and some highlights, naturalistic scene with reeds/broad leaves + bird in flight) refers well to the Nara/Hamano – Ishiguro –Tanaka vein (Kyo/Osaka) of late Edo: naturalism, autumn moon poetry and migratory birds.– Themes "moon + birds and plants" attributed to the schools Nara/Hamano Autumn moon, reeds/banks, large bird in flight (goose/crane): a classic theme of elegance and longevity, very common in these schools Style, the delicacy of the relief and the presence of dorurelocalised recall the works of the Gotōou school of the late Edo State schools in Osaka (Hamano, Nara, Ishiguro). However, the signature 'Kotobuki' also appears among dependent craftsmen of the 19th century, often specialized in luxury tsubas for collection