Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Nara Toshinga I [Japanese text], b. 1667, d. 1737, a pupil of the Ko-Kara, at first followed their somewhat restricted canons, but leaped into prominence by breaking away from their traditions. Besides developing far more refinement, he displays a greater knowledge of human anatomy. Historical and legendary subjects find favour with him, and he originates the continuing of the relief over the edge of a guard or kodzuka. He also employs a more extended range of metals and alloys to animate his reliefs. His style was followed by his son Toshinaga II and several pupils.

Tsuba in the form of a melon (EAX.10932)    Tsuba depicting the god of luck Jurōjin, with his familiar (EAX.10933)    Tsuba in the form of a water wheel (EAX.10934)

Tsuba depicting Shōki and a demon (EAX.10935)    Aori-shaped tsuba depicting Ni-ō, the Two Guardian Gods, hand wrestling (EAX.10936)    Aori-shaped tsuba depicting a statue of a Ni-ō, or Guardian God, by a temple (EAX.10937)