Tsuba - Chōshū Hagi-jū Kawaji saku (長州萩住河治作)

The The Kawaji family (河治) of Tosogu artists is founded by Dōyū (道祐), 1st gen. who lived in Yamaguchi in Suō province. He separated from the Nakai family, so Kawaji can be regarded as a branch of the Nakai family. They split off sometime during the end of the Muromachi period and are recorded to be active between 1650-1775.

I am selling this excellently crafted tsuba from the Kawaji School in Hagi.

The inscription is the artist's signature: Chōshū Hagi-jū Kawaji saku (長州萩住河治作)

Great condition.

Motive: The Tsuba shows an exceptionally elegant floral sukashi (openwork) motif, characteristic of the Kawaji school from Hagi.

The design consists of stylized flowers and leaves arranged harmoniously around the central nakago-ana (tang opening). At the top, a large open blossom with radiating petals can be seen, symmetrically aligned towards the center. To the left and right, curved leaves extend gracefully, lending the piece a sense of lightness. At the bottom, larger leaves balance the composition, creating overall harmony.

The motif resembles a chrysanthemum or peony, though highly abstracted – a popular theme in the Chōshū school, which was influenced by the elegant design language of Kyoto. The openwork construction gives the tsuba an airy and refined character, despite being forged from solid iron.

The fine forging, clear lines, and balanced composition are typical of the Kawaji family, who descended from the Nakai school and were active in Hagi from the 17th century onward.

circa: 1690-1775 s

Dimensions: 77,6 mm x 78,6 mm x 5,6 mm (5,9 mm) 102,8 g