Copper tsuba signed Yasuchika with Kao. Decorated with tiger under bamboo and waterfall. On ura mountain side visible on the horizon.
Base of the tsuba made of copper. Tiger made of shibuichi with gilded teeth, stripes and eyes. Pupil made of inlaid shakudo. Bamboo over the tiger made from copper with gilded elements. On the lower left side of the front solid silver (dots) and solid gold.
On the reverse side solid silver and gold inlay. Dots made with silver and uncategorized gold shapes made with solid gold in hira zogan inlay.
Silver fukurin.
In my opinion most exceptional part of this tsuba are carvings and their design. They feel so modern that we automatically assume that the whole tsuba is modern made. But when looked more closely one can see that amazing amount of skill land experience was necessary to made it. Therefore It could not be a modern piece. Moreover we can find all of the ideas and techniques used here on other tsuba made in 19th century. Based on that I think it was made in 19th century. However I heard an opinion that it might be late 18th century.
Tsuba is signed Yasuchika, however I can't find any similarities with any know Yasuchika generation. Therefore in my opinion this is a tribute made to first or second generation Yasuchika. But made by a different artist.
Size: 81 mm x 75 mm x 4,5 mm
