KINAI: AN IRON ECHIZEN SUKASHI TSUBA WITH A MYRIAD OF SHELLSBy Kinai, signed Echizen ju Kinai sakuJapan, Echizen school, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of marugata shape, finely worked in sukashi with a myriad of various shells, the details rendered in kebori. Signed to the front ECHIZEN ju KINAI saku.HEIGHT 7.6 cm, LENGTH 7.4 cmWEIGHT 107 gCondition: Excellent condition with minor typical wear.The first Kinai was a student of the Kyoto Shoami school ca. 1650-75. There are a total of eight generations of Kinai and as they all only signed their works Kinai it is very difficult to separate the generations.