Tsuba with an "Oni" (Demon)

Description A demon, called an "oni" in Japanese, is depicted crouched down looking at mushrooms. Kiyotoshi cleverly crafted the demon's body using the holes for the sword and short knife found in any tsuba. The demon wears the typical costume of a tiger skin loincloth and carries a Chinese-style fan. Gold highlights the demon's eyes, wrist, ankle, and loincloth. The reverse shows the demon in left profile under a full moon. While demons were originally symbols of evil, they are often depicted in humorous situations.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 一家式; [Translation] Ikkashi; [Signature] 竜叟法眼; [Translation] Ryûsô Hôgen

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters