AWA SHOAMI (AKA: HIRATA)  

Iron plate tsuba depicting Roosters, Hens and Chicks interacting amongst what could be dust swirls or perhaps stylized foliage. The work is iroi nunome of gold, silver and shakudo.  Look closely at the photos and ponder the skill required to outline the feathers with shakudo inlay.

The Awa Shoami school is said to have its roots in Kyo-Shoami and was founded in approximately 1615 by Tokushima’s Hirata Tansai, also the founder the Hirata school.  This line primarily produced exquisite renditions in gold nunome as seen in this example. This specific nunome inlay is known as Awa-zogan.  The Awa-Shoami school endured for nine (9) generations which ended approximately 1830.  Works from this line were rarely signed making smith specific information difficult if not impossible.

Size: 2 1/16″(5.3cm) w. x 2 3/16″(6cm) ht. x 3/16″(4mm) thick.

Nakago-ana: 1/4″(6mm) w. x 15/16″(2.4cm) ht.  

Tsuba comes with NTHK Kanteisho (papers) attributing this piece to the Awa-Shoami school.

$950 plus S/H

If interested in owning this gorgeous tsuba contact me via the website or directly at Yakiba.com@gmail.com

Thank you, Ed.