Ishiguro Masayoshi 石黒政美
Item No. - TS001
Daisho Kamon Set

• Period: Late Edo Period (1840)

• Designation: Tokubetsu Hozon (NBTHK)

• Tsuba (Large):

  • Signature: 石黒政美 天保十一甲午仲春
    (Mid-Spring, 11th year of the Tenpo era, 1840)

  • Length: 7.72cm x 7.29cm (3.04 inches x 2.87 inches)

  • Thickness of rim: 0.43 cm (0.17 inches)

• Tsuba (small):

  • Signature: 石黒政美 甲午仲春 (Mid-Spring, 1840)

  • Length: 7.44cm x 6.97cm (2.93 inches x 2.74 inches)

  • Thickness of rim: 0.41 cm (0.16 inches)

• Fuchikashira (Large):

  • Signature: 石黒政美 天保十一甲午仲春
    (Mid-Spring, 11th year of the Tenpo era, 1840)

  • Fuchi length: 3.91cm x 2.28cm x 1.55cm

  • Kashira length: 3.44cm x 2.03cm x 0.93cm

• Fuchikashira (small):

  • Signature: 石黒政美 甲午仲春 (Mid-Spring, 1840)

  • Fuchi length: 3.85cm x 2.22cm x 1.54cm

  • Kashira length: 3.04cm x 2.04cm x 0.99cm

Price: ¥2,000,000

of metalworkers was a highly influential group during the Edo period, known for their exceptional craftsmanship in creating sword fittings (tosogu). Founded by Ishiguro Masatsune, the school specialized in intricate and artistic designs, often depicting nature themes such as birds, flowers, and landscapes. Their hallmark was the use of takabori (high-relief carving) and iroe (color inlay), combining various metals like gold, silver, and shakudo to create vibrant and lifelike decorations.

The Ishiguro School elevated tosogu from functional components of a sword to standalone works of art, gaining widespread acclaim for their artistry and attention to detail. Their works remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of Japanese metalwork.

The Ishiguro School

(1774–1862) was renowned as one of the best masters of the Ishiguro School. Masayoshi trained under Sano Naoyoshi (佐野直好), a skilled metalworker, and subsequently became a disciple of Ishiguro Masatsune I (1760–1828), the founder of the Ishiguro School. Masayoshi's adoption of the name "Masayoshi" was a nod to his artistic lineage, combining the characters "Masa"(政) from Masatsune and "Yoshi"(好) from Naoyoshi, which replaced with the homonymous character yoshi (美).

Masayoshi played a pivotal role in the development of the Ishiguro School, not only by training numerous students but also by significantly enhancing its artistic legacy.

His strength lay in adding depth and vitality to the school’s intricate depictions of flowers and birds through his bold and dynamic chiseling technique.

This innovation introduced a more lavish and opulent dimension to the Ishiguro School’s artistry, setting a new standard for its craft.

Dai (大）

This exceptional Daisho set, crafted by the renowned metalworker Ishiguro Masayoshi, is a rare and stunning example of Edo-period tosogu. Known for his vibrant and intricate artistry, Masayoshi was reputedly employed by the Shimazu family, the ruling clan of the Satsuma domain, while working from Edo. It is believed he was commissioned to create masterpieces such as this for high-ranking samurai of the Satsuma domain.

One of the distinctive features supporting this theory is the taller fuchigashira found in many of Masayoshi's works, including this set. Such design elements are strongly associated with Satsuma Koshirae, lending further credibility to the connection between Masayoshi and the Satsuma region.

At first, we speculated that the kamon (family crest) featured in this set might belong to the Tachibana or Li clan. However, during my time in Kagoshima, the former Satsuma domain, I visited Kokafuji Cemetery in search of the graves of the famous Satsuma Shinshinto swordsmith, Hōki no Kami Masayoshi. While I did not find his grave, I unexpectedly came across graves adorned with this exact family crest. This discovery raises the possibility that this kamon may have belonged to a prominent samurai family of the Satsuma domain, potentially commissioning this set for ceremonial or prestigious purposes.

Fuchi (Front)

田代家先祖之墓 (Tashiro-ke Senzo no Haka)
Translation: "Grave of the Tashiro Family Ancestors."

Located at Kokafuji Cemetary in Kagoshima

The Tashiro family has historical ties to the Satsuma Domain (modern-day Kagoshima Prefecture), a region renowned for its samurai traditions and cultural heritage. Historical records suggest that members of the Tashiro family were of samurai lineage, as indicated by notable figures such as Tashiro Antei (1857–1928), who was born into a samurai family in Satsuma. Although Tashiro Antei became well-known for his contributions to exploration and development later in life, his roots trace back to a class of samurai who upheld the traditions and responsibilities of their domain.

Moreover, the Tashiro surname is closely associated with various parts of Kagoshima Prefecture, further implying the family’s significant presence in the region during the Edo period. Given Satsuma’s reputation for commissioning high-quality sword fittings for its samurai, it is plausible that families like the Tashiro clan might have ordered such pieces to reflect their status and wealth.

The kamon (family crest) prominently featured on the Daisho set bears a striking resemblance to those seen on gravestones associated with the Tashiro family in Kagoshima. This visual connection, along with the craftsmanship and design elements typical of the Ishiguro School, suggests that this set may have been a special commission by the Tashiro family or a similarly high-ranking samurai family within the Satsuma domain. The distinctive taller fuchigashira, a hallmark of Satsuma Koshirae, further supports this theory, tying the set to the unique stylistic preferences of samurai from the region.

While definitive proof of its direct association with the Tashiro family remains elusive, the alignment of historical context, regional ties, and craftsmanship hints at a potential link. It is exciting to imagine that this Daisho kamon set could have once belonged to a samurai family such as the Tashiro.

The term Banzashi Koshirae refers to the formal and regulated sword mountings used by samurai, particularly during the Edo period (1603–1868), when attending official duties such as guard shifts or court ceremonies at Edo Castle. This type of koshirae emphasized simplicity, modesty, and discipline, reflecting the values of the samurai class under the highly structured Tokugawa shogunate.

The kamon (family crest) was the most prominent decorative element on the fittings, carefully engraved or inlaid in gold or silver. This crest identified the samurai's lineage and symbolized loyalty and status.

The kamon would appear on the fuchigashira, tsuba, and sometimes the kurikata (knob on the scabbard) or other components of the koshirae.

The fittings were designed as a matching set, with the same family crest and motifs used across all fittings to create a cohesive and dignified appearance.

Fittings for Banzashi Koshirae were often commissioned by daimyō (feudal lords) or hatamoto (direct retainers of the shogun) to adhere to the strict regulations imposed by the bakufu (shogunate). They were typically crafted by the Gotō or Ishiguro school.

Although Ishiguro Masayoshi is celebrated for his masterful depictions of natural motifs such as plants, animals, and birds of prey, his versatility as a craftsman extended beyond these themes. It is not uncommon to encounter his works adorned with family crests (kamon).

The Ishiguro School of Japanese Sword Fittings Artists