FK-106 Higo Kumagaya Yoshyuki Fuchi Kashira

SOLD

1800’s

Rare Signed Higo Kinko Fuchi Kashira

While soft metal Higo fuchi kashira are very rare, signed examples are rarer still and thus more desirable. There are numerous unsigned fuchi kashira by the Nishigaki and Jingo schools, and even more unsigned examples by what is known as the Edo Higo School.

Kumagaya Yoshiyuki was the official han kinkoshi for the Hosokawa family (Daimyo of Higo) and was said to have taught the 5th generation Kanshiro master as well. After he opened his shop in Yotsuya Edo, Yoshiyuki work became known as Edo Higo. The Edo Higo group was extremely productive in making fine mountings for koshirae. There are even NBTHK Juyo examples of these mounts, demonstrating how esteemed and well thought of they are in Japan. Even if this set was not signed, the exquisitely carved shakudo waves done in the Nishigaki tradition is collector grade. The fact that they are signed by the famed Yoshyuki make the set more special. The deeply carved waves have a nice “life” to the design and are well represented and has good heftiness to them because of the high-grade shakudo used in the contsruction of the piece. The set is large and made for katana.

 

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FK-101 Nagamine Eiho Fuchi Kashira

SOLD

Mid-Edo

Unsigned – NBTHK Hozon to Eiho Nagamine

Excellent shakudo nanako fuchi kashira by Nagamine Eiho

Nagamine worked in the mid-Edo period and was famous for his shakudo nanako work with detailed takabori in the Kyoto Goto tradition. This fuchi kashira depicts a warrior waiting underneath the pine tree and if I recall correctly is a story from the Heikei Monogatari. Please note high takabori, use of iroe, and excellent nanako work. A Kyoto kinkoshi, Nagamine was also known as Jisaburo and is a Jokko rated smith in the Kinko Meikan. In excellent condition with custom box and NBTHK Hozon paper.

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FK-105 Satsuma Kinko Fuchi Kashira

Around 1700's

Rare, ultra large Satsuma kinko set of fuchi kashira.

Well done in very fine carving of gentle waves that exhibit the shibui feeling of the samurai. Satsuma fittings are rare in general; Satsuma kinko fittings are even rarer making this set a very nice find! Satsuma mounts are often over sized due to their sword fighting style that uses a large very long blade (usually well over 30") known as the "Jigen Ryu". What makes this set even more intriguing is the fact that we believe that they have nice age to them (meaning not from the Bakumatsu period), and are from an earlier period making them even more interesting. Done in dark deep shakudo, very nice condition.

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FK-107 Fudo Myou Fuchi Kashira

SOLD

Around 1700's

Iron Fuchi Kashira of Fudo Myou

Beautiful set of iron fuchi kashira with the dynamic design of Fudo Myou. Fudo is often depicted as a subject to fight evil and appears on many sword fittings and horimono carving on blades used by samurai. Often mistaken as the God of War, Fudo is actually the God who is the protector of Buddhism, as well las the God that destroys delusions. The term "unmoved" is often used for Fudo as he is supposedly unmoved by carnal temptations. This set is very well made. The iron base is well carved of clouds with a well cut silver waterfall on the fuchi. The kashira is even better in design with the clouds around the inset carving of Fudo surrounded by a solid gold set of flames appearing behind, showing his fierce power. Most likely by the Tetsugendo School who was very famous for this type of carving and design.

 

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FK-108 Skull and Bones Fuchi Kashira

SOLD

 

Around 1700's

Iron Fuchi Kashira of Skull and Bones

Large iron set of rare subject known as "Dokoro". This subject became popular because it captured the fleeting nature of life that was created after the bloody battles during the Sengoku jidai period. The bones and skull are done very well in silver and it emphasizes the macabre nature of the subject. Many famous artist used this design as it was both interesting and a challenge to create properly. In very good condition and large in size.

 

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FK-102 Tomoe Fuchi Kashira

1800’s

Unsigned

Fuchi: 38.8 x 23.6 x 10.2 mm

Kashira 34 x 17.1 x 6.6 mm