MASAKAZU: A FINE SILVER OJIME DEPICTING THREE HARESBy Masakazu, signed Masakazu 政一 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of globular form, finely incised, engraved in katakiri and kebori, and pierced with three rabbits nestled together amid blossoming aster and foliage, the animals with gold-inlaid eyes, long floppy ears, neatly incised fur, and lively expressions. The reverse with a rectangular reserve incised with the signature MASAKAZU.HEIGHT 1.5 cmWEIGHT 4.7 gCondition: Very good condition, minor wear and rubbing to the surface.The present ojime is probably by the same Masakazu as the metal artist who made fuchi-kashira sword fittings and is listed in Haynes, Robert E. (2001) The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p. 885, H 04127.0. The artist was active circa 1800 and worked in Dewa Province, a resident of the Unshu Shonai region.