Description † TACHIBANA TAKAIE: A SUPERB GOLD AND SILVER INLAID IRON TSUBA WITH SARUMAWASHI AND MONKEYBy Tachibana Takaie (1850-1900), signed Morioka no Ju Tachibana Takaie Tsukuru, Tetsugendo horu 盛岡住 橘孝家造 鉄元堂鐫Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Of kaku-marugata (rounded square) form with three hitsu, worked in masterful takazogan with gold, silver, copper, and shibuichi details depicting a sarumawashi (monkey trainer) carrying his monkey on his back, below the silver-inlaid moon partly covered in misty clouds. Inscribed and signed Morioka no Ju TACHIBANA TAKAIE tsukuru [made by Tachibana Takaie from Moriaka]. The reverse with two haystacks in gold takazogan and with inscription Tetsugendo horu.SIZE 8.4 x 7.2WEIGHT 237.3 gCondition: Very good condition, minor surface wear.Provenance: British private collection, purchased at Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, 9 November 2005, London, lot 70 (sold for 3,360 GBP).Tachibana Takaie is listed on page 1849, H 09273.0 in THE INDEX OF JAPANESE SWORD FITTINGS AND ASSOCIATED ARTISTS by Robert E. Haynes. The artist lived in Morioka in Rikuoka province and worked with Hidemune.