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Tsuba with design of the Yakubyoyoke no Kami (Epidemic-Averting Deity)

Ito Katsumi (Japanese, 1829–1910)
School: Tanaka School (Japanese)
Japanese
Meiji era
Late 19th century

Medium/Technique Main material: shibuichi; surface treatment: ishime-ji; other metals: gold, silver, shakudo and copper; decorative technique: iroe takazogan
Dimensions Overall: 8.6 x 8 x 0.6 cm (3 3/8 x 3 1/8 x 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.11928
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsArms and armor

Signed Ansei goki tsuchinoe-uma rinsho ekisai o nozoku tame in kore o tsukuru Katsumi, with a seal Tengu churai [Katsumi made this in order to eradicate the epidemic which took place in the sixth month of the fifth year of Ansei, tsuchinoe-uma]
安政五季戊午林鐘為疫災除造之 勝見 印 天狗中來
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.