Description
The front of the kozuka is decorated with chrysanthemums, grasses and a grasshopper. There is an unusual inscription on the blade stating that the fittings were made under the supervision of a Satô Toyozo and belonged to a Kuruhara Yoshitoku. This is part of a mounted set in which all pieces are decorated with autumn flowers and signed by Ishiguro Masatsune.
Provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisiton unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Inscriptions
[Signature] 石黒政常; [Translation] Ishiguro Masatsune (kao); [Inscription] On blade: 来原好徳所蔵 金具一切作之 管下佐藤豊三; [Transliteration] Kuruhara Yoshitoku shozô / Kanagu issai saku no (or kore) / Kanka Sato Toyozo; [Translation] Belongs to Kuruhara Yoshitoku / all the metal fittings were made / under the supervision of Satô Toyozo
Credit
Acquired by Henry Walters