The theme of this Tsuba is Hiashi, Sunray. It was crafted by Iwai Kishinmaro Masatoshi who was a swordsmith active during the late Edo Period from 1814 to 1865. He was the eighth son of Kuze Koun, a feudal lord of Sekiyado, Shimosa Province. Later he was adopted into the Iwai family as studied swordsmithing under for teachers; Hosokawa Masayoshi, Taikei Naotane, Minamoto Kiyomaro, and Suzuki Masao. The features of Masatoshi's work were making a robust sword with longer Kissaki, the same as Kiyomaro. This Tsuba crafted by the swordsmith Masatoshi is very rare. It was made with well-forged iron. |