Sword guard with openwork design of flowering plum tree/ IDETA Collection/Kumamoto prefectural Museum of Art

This sword guard is considered to have been created by the 2nd head of the Hayashi school, Shigemitsu (1667-1744), based on the style of the work. Shigemitsu was skilled at creating openwork design which was the first Head Matashichi’s specialty as well.
This irregular shaped iron piece has an openwork design featuring a flowering plum tree. Although Shigemitsu’s works were evaluated as inferior to Matashichi’s, the design of this piece, which well expresses the naturally growing plum tree with flowers and buds, is equal to Matashichi’s skill.