As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this sensational late Edo period 1615-1868 solid shakudo and mixed metal Tsuba ( sword hand guard) artist signed Yoshihisa ( Ryoju) , this Edo period master metalworker has crafted this large Tsuba from shakudo, an alloy containing a percentage of gold  that has been perfected and highly revered in Japan since the 16th century, upon the black ground carved as a stream ascends a gold carp of extraordinary detail, the reverse carved as a continuation of the steam with gold reeds. The inscription suggests that the artist Yoshihisa (Ryoju) made this item on commission in 1867, the year of the Tiger. A breathtaking piece of artistry that would grace any serious sword fitting or metalwork collection.Literature : There are two metalworkers Yoshihisa , also pronounced as Ryoju , listed on page 617 of the directory Toso Kinko Jiten by Wakayama Takeshi .Provenance : Russian Private CollectionCondition r...