Tsuba: Dragon Sukashi by Esshu ju Akao Jinsuke

Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors · Show original

In Echizen during the Edo period, there were the Kinai and Akao tsuba smiths, both of whom excelled at sukashi expression. The first generation of the Akao school was called Jinzaemon and served the Echizen Matsudaira family, and thereafter Sukejiro, Jinjuro, Jinbe, and others were active, with Jinsuke being a smith of the mid-Edo period. This tsuba is a large-sized tsukurikomi with a powerful Ryujin carved in nikubori similar to the Kinai style. The well-forged, strong tetsu-ji is finished with thick niku, utilizing the circular shape of the tsuba as if reflected in a crystal ball; the scales covering the thick body are rough, the claws of the limbs grasping the air are sharp, gold nunome-zogan is applied to key points, and a shakudo fukurin is wrapped around the mimi.