Mito Flute Player Tsuba

A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.

Details of this item

Price

€ 475

Status

Available

Region

East Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
(Mito school, Japan)

Period

18th/19th century

Materials

Iron, Gold, Shakudo

Price

€ 475

Status

Available

Region

East Asia (China, Korea, Japan)

(Mito school, Japan)

Period

18th/19th century

Materials

Iron, Gold, Shakudo

Description

Iron mokko-gata shaped tsuba from the Edo period, attributed to the Mito school. The front design features a seated flute player beside rock formations, with finely executed floral details in gold and shakudō. The surface has a natural, textured ground typical of the school’s aesthetic. The back is decorated with a small flowing river, surrounded by golden flowers.

While both kozuka-ana and kogai-ana are present, they are filled with an alloy and not functional, suggesting a non-military or later ceremonial use. This example reflects the decorative focus on characteristic of the Mito tradition.

Mito Flute Player Tsuba

Condition

Good condition

Dimensions

Height: 8.4

Width: 8cm

Thickness: 3.6mm

Weight

137g.

Comparable items

– National Gallery Prague acc.nr. Vu 1319 by master Yoshiaki Kurosawa, similar aesthetics in tsuba school.

Provenance

French collection

Literature

A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.
A mokko-gata shaped Mito school tsuba depicting a flute player with a basket in mountainous landscape in shakudo and gold. Edo period, 18th/19th century, Japan.