KZ-112 Goto Teijo Kozuka

Teijo

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:

1600’s

Signature:

Unsigned –certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon to Teijo

Size:

9.65 length x 1.46 panel width x .50 cm thickness

Design of Shishi and Vajra

Extremely elegant and tasteful kozuka by the 9th mainline Goto master, Teijo. Nice shakudo nanako work in gold sleeve with Teijo’s trademark “catscratch” back. Most works that are seen are of average quality, but pieces such as this that are modeled after the old Goto masters were only ordered or kept by the higher classes. One can see from the design that it has the same feeling of a Goto Yujo or Sojo. This piece truly shows the high skill of Teijo and why he was the 9th master of the mainline family. Comes with custom kiri wood box and is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.

 

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KZ-115 Yonemitsu Taihei Bashin (Umabari)

Taihei

Price:

$4900

Time Period:

1900’s

Signature:

Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa – NBTHK Hozon

Size:

12.5 cm

Iron Gold Inlay Bashin by Living National Treasure Yonemitsu Taihei

Rare signed Bashin (Umabari) by the ONLY tosogu maker to be given the title of Ningen Kokuho (Living National Treasure). Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa was an excellent tsuba maker and kinko-shi. His works rival that of any top level Higo artisan from the Edo period and have been often mistaken for those of earlier masters. He was trained in the traditional Higo style by his uncle, and received the title of Living National Treasure in 1965. Many of his works are unsigned as that was the style of the Higo School, but in his later years he started to carve his name on his pieces. Not only is this piece signed, it has the original box, also signed by Taihei. A very rare package by a true master.

This piece is also published in a well known book by the famous fittings teacher Torigoye.

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FT-199 Kamiyoshi Rakuju Kozuka

Price:

SOLD
Time Period:

1800’s

Signature:

NBTHK Hozon to Rakuju

Size:

9.7 cm x 1.5 cm x 5 mm


Very Rare Kozuka made by the Kamiyoshi master Rakuju.

 Rakuju was one of the best masters from the prestigious Kamiyoshi School. His work is often mistaken for the great Hayashi master Matashichi. This kozuka is very classic in Kamiyoshi tradition. The iron patina is textbook color and is in great condition. You can even see masame kitae in the surface! The design strength is in its intended simplicity. The subject of an old dead branch reveals the calmness that often follows a battle or fight, and a personification of the Bushi life. Kozuka by the Higo School are relatively rare as there were not that many wakizashi koshirae made from this province. He was also a master at gold inlay, and was regarded as the top Kamiyoshi master.

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MF-312 Ishiguro Tomotsune Kozuka

Price:

SOLD
Time Period:

1800’s

Signature:


Seiseisai Ishiguro Tomotsune (Kao) NBTHK Hozon with custom fitted box.

Size:

9.7 cm x 1.4 cm x 6.2 mm


Top level shibuichi kozuka with a super rare design of Raijin that fell down from the sky (Raijin is the God of thunder). In addition to being really innovative in design, this kozuka is also very high quality. The raijn is done in high grade red copper and is carved extremely well. The expression on Raijin’s face is priceless, as if he seems to be lost and saying to himself “what happened?” The skilled use of all of these different metals help create a fun and wonderful setting. The toys are done in high grade shakudo, and the puppy dog in shibuichi and shakudo. A very nice kozuka with a special theme not often seen by the famous Ishiguro school of which Tomotsune was a student of. He probably received the use of the Tsune kanji from either Masatsune or Koretsune, 2 of the leading artist from this school.

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KZ-116 Shunga Kozuka

Shunga

Price:

HOLD

Time Period:


1700-1800’s

Signature:

 

Signed with Kao only

Size:

9.7cm x 1.5cm x 5.2mm

Shibuichi Kozuka of Shunga Eotic Art


Shunga kozuka made of silver with shakudo, copper and gold. The fine carving is done in very good kiri bori style, especially upon examination of the both the facial and other detailed features. In most cases, this type of kozuka was made by the Otsuki School (see menuki section for another example of Otsuki work). They were very well known for making fittings like this in silver, and then either leaving the pieces unsigned, or like in this case signed by Kao only.
Shunga is a term for Japanese erotic art, meaning literally “spring, which is common euphemism for sex. It was thought by samurai that the carrying of shunga was a special lucky charm to ward against death and its popularity was such that both Japanese women and men were avid collectors of Shunga works of art and carried very little of stigma that it does today. With some research, we could probably figure out which maker made this interesting piece. The pictures tell the rest on a fun piece!

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KZ-104 Hamano Naoyuki Kozuka –Published NBTHK #533

Naoyuki

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:

Mid/Late Edo

Signature:

Oite Shinshu Aisomegawa Hen Chou Kore Hamano Naoyuki–NBTHK Hozon

Size:

9.75 cm long 1.45 cm wide

Shibuichi kozuka by Hamano Naoyuki of famous Three Kingdoms war general Chohi defending Chohan bridge. In this particular scene, Chohi sends off his army to outflank the advancing Tsao Tsao forces while he singlehandly defends the Undefended City from the attacking forces. In the ensuing battle. Chohi’s army links up with Kwanyu and Gentoku to defeat Tsao-Tsao from behind.  Published in #533 NBTHK Journal, they write that this kozuka is important because it displays all of the techniques that Naoyuki was most famous for including exemplary shibuichi migaki, high takabori relief, and excellent use of gold and silver iroe.  Additionally the particular signature of this piece is very important.

Comes with custom kiri box, copy of NBTHK picture and caption, and NBTHK Hozon paper.

Click on picture for a more detailed look and description.

 

KZ-103 Haruaki Hogen Kozuka

Haruaki

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:

Late Edo

Signature:

Bunsei 11 Tsuchinoe-ne Haruaki Hogen –NBTHK Kicho

Size:

9.72 cm long 1.53 cm wide

Deep dark shakudo work by master Haruaki of Mt Fuji. This rare and beautiful piece epitomizes Haruaki containing his skillful use of mixed metals to the excellent carving work he is known for. Genuine Haruaki pieces are very rare as there are many fakes.  Kozuka in shakudo with ishimeiji and takabori zogan and is a wonderful depiction of Mt. Fuji. This is excellent collector grade kozuka. Haruaki is listed as a Jokko rated smith in the kinko meikan. A student of Yanagawa Naoharu, he later on went to establish his own school which had many students and was famous for the slightly whimsical composition and design which was very much a spirit of the era he worked in.

NBTHK Kicho paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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C-105 Ichiryuken Motochika Kozuka

Motochika

Price:

HOLD

Time Period:

Late Edo - 1800

Signature:

Signed Ichiryuken Motochika - NBTHK Hozon

Size:

 

NBTHK Hozon certified shakudo nanako kozuka design of Koma Hiki Saru (Monkey and Horse) signed Ichiruken Motochika. Motochika was a Mito smith from the Utsumi line. The playful design of this kozuka, Koma Hiki Saru, was popularized by Yasuchika. The original story came from China and was a myth that related monkeys protecting and acting as the guardians of horses. The theme first took shape with carvings of monkeys in horse stables and gradually spread to sword fittings. Motochika's displays the skill of machibori here with work that is of course different from the Goto family yet joyful, and equally skilled. The nanako work around the kozuka is especially well done and in great condition.

NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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MF-293 Ishiguro Masahide Kozuka

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:

1800’s

Signature:

Signed – Ishiguro Masahide – Never submitted for shinsa, but questionable in our opinion.

Size:

9.6 cm x 1.5 cm


Nice kozuka done in shakudo nanako. Workmanship is like that of the Ishiguro school and is signed Ishiguro Masahide. The scene of a proud bird is done well, and the fine high relief carving is done with great attention to detail. The shakudo nanako background is also well executed. The interesting point is that the nanako is also on the sides and end of the kozuka showing skill and attention to detail in this piece. In very nice condition, this kozuka is easy to enjoy. My guess this is student work from the school, which while is not like the masterworks of Ishiguro, is still acceptable.

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MF-294 Munenaga Snail Kozuka

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:

1800’s

Signature:


Signed – Munenaga – no research yet as to which maker this is – possible shinsa in the future for this piece.

Size:
9.73 x 1.45 cm


Very nice copper kozuka with a design of a snail cruising on a warabi. Work is very delicate with fine meaning. The artist has brought peace to the design with its simplicity. Very nice in our opinion, the design of a snail is very rare. The use of various metals on the copper brings a warmth to the piece.
 

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FT-166 Goto Tokujo Kozuka

Price:

SOLD

Time Period:


1500’s

Signature:

Unsigned - NBTHK Kicho to Goto Tokujo

Size:

9.2 cm x 1.2  cm

Goto Kozuka done in the classic style of the upper class. Attributed to Goto Tokujo, this kozuka definitely has age and classic features of a kozuka from the Muromachi period. Tokujo was the 5th mainline master of the famous Goto School.The use of the Kiri mon shows the level of the owner who probably really a member of the Toyotomi faction as it was during this time that they were active and had status. Black nanako with gold Kiri mons (3) with gold foiled backing is the classic style of the Goto school during this time. The special size is the characteristic trait of both Kojo and Tokujo.

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