Choshu-Tsuba
During the Edo period, Choshu Domain (=Now Yamaguchi Prefecture) encouraged
to produce tsuba and export them to other provinces for the sake of securing
financial resources. As a result, Choshu produced many tsuba craftsmen
and pieces of works. People said "Aizu in the East, Choshu in
the West".
The Ohuchi daimyo family who governed this area before the Mouri daimyo
family, invited Ko-Shoami craftsmen (=Old Shoami craftsmen) from Kyoto
and ordered them to produce the Shoami style sword guards.
Later, the governer of this area had changed from the Ohuchi to the Mouri.
Even though, the families of the Kawaji, Nakai and Okamoto which were descended
from the Shoami school, were the mainstream of tsuba production in this
area.
Later, the Okada family which belonged to the Umetada school came to Choshu
Province.
And, after the middle part of the Edo period, most of the all schools in
Choshu Province started interacting with craftsmen of the Ito school in
Edo Metropolis.
Therefore, we can find a lot of Choshu-Tsuba which are influenced by the
Ito style.
As stated above, Choshu-Tsuba cannot be categorically described in
one phrase because there are not a few styles in this area.
Though, the families already mentioned (=Kawaji, Nakai, Okamoto),
in addition, the Okada, Kaneko, Nakahara, Fujii, Inoue and Yamichi
are relatively famous. |
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![[ Ears of Rice, Sukashi ] by Yamichi Tomohisa](yamichitomohisa01.gif) |
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[ Ears of Rice, Sukashi ]
"Inhabitant of Hagi in Nagato Province, Sakunoshin Tomohisa"
(= Yamichi Tomohisa)
Latter part of the Edo period
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![[ Kiku ]@The Nakai School of Choshu Province](tu105831choshunakai.gif) |
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![[ Kiku ]@The Nakai School of Choshu Province](tu105832.gif) |
[ Kiku ]
No Inscription
The Nakai School of Choshu Province
Middle part of the Edo period
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