Lot of 3 Japanese Tsubas with Shoki and Oni Folkloric Motifs

1.) 2.6" x 2.75". Maru Gata iron tsuba depicting a wrathful Shoki banishing an Oni from the clouds above the Nakago-Ana. Shoki is engraved with a wispy beard, and mounts bulging golden eyes, and further gold embellishments to his kimono. He holds aloft a silver sword. Clouds at the top of the tsuba enclose a Shakudo Oni fleeing before Shoki, his back towards the viewer. Reverse side depicts a peaceful scene with a lightly engraved tree with gold seeds to flowering buds.

2.) 2.75" x 2.9". Iron Maru Gata pattern tsuba depicting Shoki laying his blackened Shakudo finish hand on the back of a cowering red Shakudo Oni. The Oni's horns, and the details on Shoki's clothing are plated in gold. Lightly engraved background shows a second Oni emerging from the upper ground behind an iron boulder. Reverse side is relief engraved with a discarded silver feather quill pen with the quill and writing table decorated with gold.

3.) 2.6" x 2.9". Maru Gata iron tsuba carved on the obverse sign with a bearded Shoki below the Kozuka Hitsu-Ana glaring at a Shakudo Oni clinging to the gold clapper of a bell on the opposite side of the tsuba, a wise course of action given what has happened in the previous pair of descriptions. Ground and reverse side are lightly engraved with floral motifs featuring gold details.

Items come with a receipt from Armada Antiques of Gray's Antique Market, London, where one of these was sold in 1998.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

1.) Fine. Item retains a deep brown finish with strong details to the engraving and all inlays. Some traces of old oxidation within the ground and in Nakago and Kozuka-Hitsu Ana.

2.) Very Good. Item shows scattered oxidation to the brown patinated finish. Some traces of light pitting. Details to figures remain strong.

3.) Very Good. Scattered oxidation to the brown patinated finish. Gold and engraved details are strong. Some sprinkled pitting.

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Arms, Armor and Militaria

Lot of 3 Japanese Tsubas with Shoki and Oni Folkloric Motifs

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