| Rinsendo Mitsumasa [臨川堂光昌] was born in Kunitomo Village, Omi Province, in 1721 (Kyoho 6) as a member of the Kunitomo gunsmith family. His early signatures were Mitsumasa [光正] and Mitsumasa [充昌], and he was a master craftsman who studied under Yokoya Soyo [横谷宗與] in Edo and later studied Nara school carving techniques. His metalwork is praised for its intricacy and dignity, and is comparable to that of Nagatsune [長常] from Kyoto. He died in 1776 (Anei 5) at the age of 56. This work is on a shibuichi ground, with waves skillfully carved in katakiri-bori carving technique and a rising sun dipcted in gold flat inlay. The composition is excellent and the piece is of high quality. The inscription on the inside of the top lid by Kamiya Monyo (born 1905, sword fittings appraiser) reads: "Rinsendo Mitsumasa, black shibuichi polished ground, high-waisted round shape, rising sun on waves, katakiri-bori carving, flat inlay, Marchi 1967 (Showa 42), Monyo (seal). It has passed the Hozon Tosogu shinsa in 2017. |
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