T177.  Iron tsuba with a bird of gold.  7 x 7.4 x .4 cm.  This tsuba comes with a box, with hakogake that reads, “Ame sukashikakako tetsu tsuba.”  Rain sukashi cuckoo iron tsuba.  Also on the lid is a sticker that reads, “26 APR 95 Sale 8132 Lot 694.”  Inside the box, under the pad, I found the sale tag from Christie’s and a note with the translation of the hakogake and “ex. Prince Ichjo Coll. From Joe Seo N.Y. ca. 1960.”

I think this one is special.  The bird is wonderfully carved (with a shakudo eye), flying in rain, and in the distance are trees, carved soft and subtle to give the perfect appearance of being seen through the rain.  And the kogai hitsu-ana, which is filled with shakudo, is worked in gold and silver: clouds and a crescent moon.  The rim appears to be a shakudo fukurin but it isn’t.  It’s carved from the iron to look like a fukurin: amazing work.  There is the slightest bit of rubbing on the back of the shakudo plug; this will heal with time.  Otherwise all is in perfect condition.  $750.