Sahari Zogan Tsuba
TS0394
A rare marugata sahari zogan tsuba. 7.8 cm x 7.82 cm 4.8 mm. A fairly weathered tsuba with hon zogan peonies on the face and butterflies on the obverse. Sahari is the inlay most frequently seen on matchlocks, and it is the nature of sahari to have pits in the surface. NBTHK green papers from March 25, 1972 attributing the tsuba to Hazama. However, there is a compromised signature reading, Kunitomo saku. Kunitomo were primarily matchlock smiths, who were known for producing udon tepo (noodle guns), so called for their tendency to warp from the heat of repeated firing. According to Robert Haynes, one of the characteristics of Kunitomo work from around 1800, is the combination of narrow and wide hon zogan. That this tsuba was attributed to Hazama, speaks of the similarity of work. $1,850
Kunitomo saku
NBTHK green papers from March 25, 1972 attributing the tsuba to Hazama