Ko-Kinkō Tsuba (古金工鐔)

Japanese Title: 霰文✕図鐔
Material: Unrefined Copper (yamagane 山銅)  
Age: Early to Middle Muromachi Period (室町時代初期～中期) 
Size: 7.2 cm X 6.8 cm, 3.0 mm at the rim.
Signature: Mumei (無銘) 
Shape: Mokkō-gata (木瓜形)  
Surface Finish: Ishime-ji (石目地)
Attachment: NBTHK Hozon Paper and Custom Box

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This is a handguard (tsuba 鐔) made of a sandwich of three layers of metal. Two outer thin layers as an applied linear stone-like texture (ishime-ji 石目地) that almost appear like fish roe (nanako-ji 魚子地). All layers are made of hard and dense unrefined copper (yamamgane 山銅). The outer thin layers also have black lacquer (kuro-urushi 黒漆) applied. This was likely applied to simulate copper-gold alloy (shakudō 赤銅). The tsuba with its plain textured lacquered surface has a simple light and dark colored inlays (zōgan-iroe 象厳色絵) in a regular dot pattern. The lighter inlays are Chinese imported brass (shinchū 真鍮) and with oxidation the darker inlays are silver (gin 銀). The edge of the tsuba has a folded-over rim (uchikaeshi-mimi 打返耳) with a nicely polished smooth rim edge.
The tsuba was likely originally made for a (ko-dachi 小太刀) worn edge down. The accessory hole (kozuka hitsu-ana 小柄櫃穴) was added later when the tsuba was remounted during the Edo Period for use on a typical short sword (wakizashi 脇差) that was always worn edge up.
The previous owner of this tsuba was thinking it was a work of the Tachikanaguchi (太刀金具師) group. It is a fine example of the group’s work and dates from sometime during the early to middle Muromachi Period, likely sometime before the Ōnin Era (1467-1469 CE) but could date as early as (1393-1453 CE). The following quote from Dr. Torigoye from Tsuba Geijutsu-kō sums up nicely the esthetics of this tsuba and the group it belongs to: "The feeling of tachi-kanagushi tsuba is noble and austere, yet simple and plain”. The most important points to observe in the works of the tachi-kanagushi are the quality of the metal, and the harmony between the shape, color, and design.” 
On March 26, 2024, it was judge and attributed formal appraisal (shinsa 審査) in Tokyo at the Japan at the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword (NBTHK) to be a work of the old goldsmith group (Ko-Kinkō 古金工).  An appraisal paper (hozon tōsōgu kanteisho 保存刀装具鑑定書) was issued confirming the tsuba is authentic, of good quality, has artistic merit, and is worthy of historical preservation.

Provenance:

1. Part of the Memorial Collections of Professor A.Z. Freeman and Phyllis Sharpe were sold at Sotheby's auction in 1997.

2. Purchased from Bob Benson at the 2021 San Francisco Show.