Design of Mist with Narcissus

Andō Yoshitoki was one of the leading Shōnai kinko. He studied under Satō Chinkyū alongside Tsuchiya Yasuchika and Watanabe Arichika. He is also said to have studied under Yasuchika, as did Arichika. Many of his works reflect the influence of the Nara school, while at the same time possessing a distinctive atmosphere unique to Yoshitoki.
This tsuba is executed on a thick iron ground, with mist and narcissus rendered in usu-nikubori (low relief) and expressed with gold and silver iroe. The surface is relatively flat, with subtle variation created through tsuchime (hammer marks).
The substantial thickness gives the piece a distinctive presence, demonstrating Yoshitoki’s exceptional artistic sensibility. This may also be understood as the result of Yasuchika’s influence and guidance.
Works by Yoshitoki are exceedingly rare, making this an especially important and appealing example of his work.