By Kikuchi Masanaga, singed Kikuchi Masanaga sakuJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)The maru-gata shakudo tsuba finely worked in gold and copper takazogan with an imposing image of a Nio next to a neatly incised temple pillar, the pillar visible on the reverse where it is being worked on by a temple servant, two further pilgrims behind the servant, and two sparrows in flight above. The details very finely rendered in copper and rich gold. Signed to the front KIKUCHI MASANAGA saku [Made by Kikuchi Masanaga].SIZE 7.9 x 7.4 cmWEIGHT 186 gCondition: Excellent condition with minor associated surface wear.Provenance: Austrian private collection.The artist is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on pp. 906-907 (H 04260. 0) and was a student of Masakatsu.Auction comparison:A related tsuba with Nio design was sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 57 (sold for 7,200 GBP).