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

At Shōnai (Tsurugaoka) [1] in Dewa, one of the northern provinces, lived several families of sword-furniture makers, among them the Funada, founded by F. Zaisai I, early 18^th century, and the Katsurano, founded by K. Akabumi I, middle of 18^th century.

Zaisai I and his son Zaisai II were pupils of the Shōami, and were followed by Kajō and Kwanjō, of whom the latter also studied under Iwamoto Kwanri and Ishiguro Masatsune I. Kwanjō’s adopted son, Funada Ikkin, was one of the Ichijō pupils, and his work shows the fusion of two widely differing styles. Zaisai was also the teacher of Yasuchika I.

Akabumi I was a samurai of the Shōnai daimio and studied under Hamano Shōzui; his grandson Fumio was a pupil of the famous Natsuo.

Chikiū (or Yoshihisa) appears to have been an independent worker during the early part of the 18th century.

Tsuba with dragon, waves, and clouds (EAX.11114)    Tsuba with arrowhead leaves and flowers (EAX.11115)    Mokkō-shaped tsuba with blossoming plum tree (EAX.11116)   

Tsuba with yahadzu, or arrow feathers (EAX.11117)    Lenticular tsuba with fret and lattice diapers (EAX.11118)    Octagonal tsuba with clouds and dragons (EAX.11119)

Lobed tsuba with paulownia leaves (EAX.11120)    Tsuba with cherry blossoms (EAX.11121)    Tsuba with butterflies (EAX.11122)

Lenticular tsuba with peony flowers (EAX.11123)    Tsuba with crested waves (EAX.11124)