NOBUTOSHI: A FINE SHIBUICHI ‘TIGER AND DRAGON’ TSUBA

拍品描述

NOBUTOSHI: A FINE SHIBUICHI ‘TIGER AND DRAGON’ TSUBA By Nobutoshi (active c.1800-1825), signed Nobutoshi 宜寿 Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of nagamarugata form, with one kozuka hitsu ana, the nakago ana with some suaka sekigane, the migakiji (polished) ground with tanakinubori, kebori, and katakiribori, as well as gold takazogan, featuring a tiger crouching beside bamboo under the rain, the reverse punched out to provide the raised surface for the tiger and incised with scrolling clouds, alluding to a dragon hidden within the mist. Signed to one side NOBUTOSHI. HEIGHT 6.5 cm, LENGTH 5.8 cm, 2.6 cm (the nakago), WIDTH 0.3 cm (the mimi), 0.3 cm (the seppa-dai) WEIGHT 67.7 g The tiger and dragon form a classical East Asian motif representing opposing yet complementary forces. While rooted in Chinese cosmology, where they symbolize yin and yang, the theme was widely embraced in Japan and reinterpreted within a distinctly Japanese artistic context. In such depictions, the tiger is often associated with the earth and the vital force of wind, while the dragon governs the heavens and water, appearing amidst clouds. Their dramatic confrontation conveys a balance of strength and energy, a subject particularly favored in Edo-period metalwork for its dynamic and auspicious connotations. Nobutoshi (active c. 1800-1825) is listed in Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p.1413 (H 07232.0).

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