Kongosai Gassan - GINZA SEIKODO JAPANESE ART, SWORDS, & TSUBA SINCE MEIJI PERIOD

PRODUCT Kongosai Gassan
Otsue demon image

Kongosai Gassan Otsue demon image PRICE JP￥750,000-: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu Certificate

Gassan, who was also known as Matsuo Karoku, was born in Kyoto in 1815. After training under Kawarabayashi Hideoki of the Otsuki School, he assumed the artistic names Kongosai and Tosotei. He created a number of tsuba in the style of his master with Takabori Iroe on bases of Shakudo, brass, iron, and Shibuichi. He died in the 8th year of Meiji (1875).
This piece features a fabulous execution of an Otsue demon done on an iron base, and is a theme also done by Mitsuoki. Otsu, current day Shiga Prefecture) was known for drawings in the Edo period and travelers on the Tokaido would buy them as souvenirs or charms. During the Christian suppression, there were also a means for hidden Christians to show that they were Buddhist.