| Takasago depicts the legendary elderly couple, Jō and Uba, gathering fallen pine needles with a rake and broom beneath a pine tree. They symbolize marital harmony, faithful companionship, and longevity. The Noh play Takasago has long been performed at Japanese wedding celebrations as an auspicious expression of a happy and enduring marriage. The front of this tsuba depicts Jō and Uba beneath a pine tree on the shore of Takasago, illuminated by the moon, while the reverse shows their rake and broom. The composition conveys the couple's lifelong devotion to one another and is regarded as a highly auspicious subject. Although little is known about the craftsman Takatoshi (who is not the same craftsman as Ikeda Takatoshi, the teacher of Kanō Natsuo), the carving is meticulous and the workmanship is solid and refined. Based on its style, this tsuba is thought to have been made in the late Edo period. Passed the NBTHK Hozon Tosogu shinsa in February 2026. |
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