| This tsuba depicts three flying geese in flight above flowing water in a bold openwork design. The three geese are prominently arranged, their wings and tail feathers skillfully interconnected, while gently undulating streams of water are pierced below, creating a spacious waterside scene within the limited circular composition of the tsuba. Bamen Tsunemasa was born in 1741 in Echizen Province into a family engaged in the production of ironwork such as horse fittings and armor. He studied under Kikuchi Tsunekatsu, founder of the Kikuchi school, and was permitted to use the character “Tsune” (序) from his master's name in his own signature. Tsunemasa was a highly accomplished master of openwork tsuba, particularly noted for boldly pierced iron designs in which the motifs appear almost like silhouettes. He lived in Shitaya, Edo. This is an excellent example of the refined and imaginative design characteristic of Bamen Tsunemasa. |
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