T-130 Tanaka Kiyotoshi Tsuba

HOLD

Time period – 1800’s

Top – bottom 6.6 cm / side – side 6.15 cm

Excellent tsuba by the master of the Tanaka School, Tanaka Kiyotoshi.

Kiyotoshi was the founder of the Toryusai School during the later part of the Edo period and was the creator of one of the top three famous schools (the Ichijo and Natsuo Schools being the other two) of that era. The quality and work from some students of the Tanaka school was actually higher than some masters of other schools. Because the Tanaka School catered mostly to the merchant class, the subjects are more interesting and has a design and appeal that is quite enjoyable for modern day collectors. The work is usually outstanding and very very detailed. The iron is unparalleled, and has a special texture known as “Tanaka tetsu”, which must be seen in hand to understand its particular quality. Design of plovers and fishnets is skillfully done and well represented; the feeling of which is not cramped and skillfully placved even though it done in such a small space. It is rare for a masterpiece of this level to be offered to the public.

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T-128 Nobuie Waterwheel Tsuba

HOLD

Late Muromachi – Momoyama

Top – Bottom 7.5cm side – side 7.2cm

Rare Genuine Signed Nobuiye

A rarity offered for sale, a true master of iron, the famous Nobuiye is one of the most sought after makers when it comes to iron tsuba. Known for his excellent iron plate quality, it is said in many circles that the quality is the best of the best. As in the case of someone who is so famous, there are many, many forged (fake) signatures on pieces that are even made today. Even the noted artist Owari Norisuke made many “Nobuiye” tsuba that were passed on to many as genuine. However, when one has the chance to study a genuine item (in good condition of course), one can easily see the difference, not only in the iron quality, but in the carving as well. The example we have today is a combination of both his iron plate (notice how wet the iron appears), with very fine kebori carving, with the addition of a stronger carving of a water wheel. Tsuba in this quality and class level rarely come up for sale, so this is a chance for those that have only dreamed of owning such a piece.

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T-129 Tanaka Kiyotoshi Tsuba

HOLD

1800’s

6.3 cm top – bottom, 5.8 cm side to side, 3.7mm thickness at seppadai

Rare Tsuba by One of the Most Famous Masters of Kinko

Tanaka Kiyotoshi was the master of the famous Tanaka Toryusai School. Kiyotoshi had many students that went on to achieve fame as well, but still, there is nothing like the work of the master himself. Just recently we had the chance to see the famous sukashi monkey fisherman tsuba by Kiyotoshi that is in the collection of the Tokyo National museum. Because of the similar style of that tsuba and the one that we present today, we can see the extent of Kiyotoshi’s great skill, and easily understand why he is indeed a master. The tsuba has an iron plate that looks super wet, with fine use of gold and silver for the accents to the design. The idea of using the sukashi technique for the bird is indeed ahead of its time! Also notice the fine carving of the willow tree especially for its simplicity yet still showing strong life in the design. The well hammered surface is also a plus. A most rare masterpiece tsbua from a mastermaker offered for saleBeautiful gold guchi beni as well. According to the NBTHK certificate, the design is called Gekka Fukuro, or Owl under the moon.

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T-117 Higo Living National Treasure

SOLD

Modern

8.6 x 8.28 x .4 cm

Iron Sukashi Tsuba by Yonemitsu Taihei

Rare tsuba by the ONLY tsuba maker to be given the title of Ningen Kokuho (Living National Treasure) Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa was an excellent tsuba maker and kinkoshi. His works rival that of any top level Higo artisan from the Edo period, and have been mistaken for those of earlier masters. He was trained in the tradition al Higo style by his uncle, and in 1965 he received the title of Living National Treasure. 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. This tsuba is an excellent example of his work, in perfect condition just as if you were living in the 1800’s and had just received your tsuba from Kamiyoshi Rakuju himself. NBTHK to Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa with custom kiri box and hakogaki by Sato Kanzan.

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NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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S-100 Goto Mitsutsura

SOLD

1800's

76 x 71 x 4 mm

Rare top grade Goto tsuba made by Goto Mitsutsura. He was from the line of Goto Seijo and the style is like that of Ichijo. Excellent Suaka surface with super fine detail of birds with plnts on fencing. Detail is the best we’ve seen in a while, even the shakudo rim follows the design in height and angle. Not much to say except that this tsuba is a treasure for any collector. It was published in an exhibition book of fine tsuba, and was apparently from Sasano’s private collection (from the collection of tsubas that were part of his “keeper” collection, not the “study” tsuba collection)..

NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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Item T-101 Dragon and Wave Umetada

Late 1500’s – Very early 1600’s Momoyama period

Unsigned – in our opinion Umetada or Goto we guarantee Momyama period

Just under 3" round

Very excellent high Level Momoyama Daimyo Tsuba.

Large katana sized tsuba done in the style of the Momyama period for the upper class. Tsuba of this type are very rare and are only seen occasionally as they often belonged to the Daimyo class. Usually tsuba of this type are done by the Goto , KoKinko or Umetada families during this time.

 

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C-108 Satsuma Naokiyo Monkey Tsuba

Late Edo

Sashu ju Oda Naokiyo -NBTHK Hozon certified

Beautiful iron sukashi tsuba of monkeys by Satsuma Naokiyo in mint condition. This is a fabulous tsuba with stunning detail and work. The monkeys almost feel alive with movement. Notice the skillful kebori work of fine hairs that adds to the realism. This tsuba is the reference tsuba mentioned in the kinko jiten and is a stunning piece. The iron is classic Satsuma iron and is something every collector should remember. NBTHK Hozon certified . Comes with custom kiri box.

 

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T-124 Jingo Sandai Ryu Tsuba

SOLD

1600’s

7.94cm top – bottom, 7.4 cm side to side, 5.9mm thickness at seppa dai

Rare Large Classic Signed Shimizu Jingo Tsuba

Unusually large iron plate tsuba by the famous Higo Shimizu Jingo 3rd master. Classic design of the dragon and vajra with perfect condition patina. Tsuba has excellent iron that the Jingo School is known for with chocolate wet 4 lobed shape iron with raised seppa dai. All of the classic characteristics just like in the book! Everything you wanted in a Jingo tsuba. The 3rd master is very early, and is the start of signed examples with the few exceptions that remain of the 2nd. Signature is well cut and in great condition, and a tsuba for serious Higo collectors. NBTHK certified, and custom box.

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FT-34 Takase Eiju Tsuba

Sold

1800’s

6.23cm x 5.66 cm x 5.7mm

Kanzan and Jittoku Shisui Takase Eiju Tsuba

The subject of Kanzan and Jittoku along with their friends Bukan and his Tiger are known as the Shisui or four sleepers. This tsuba depicts the 4 friends extremely well. The carving skill of Eiju is very apparent in this tsuba, and demonstrate why he is one of the most famous in the Mito kinko school. The excellent shibuichi plateis carved in a way that makes it appear as if it were made of fabric. The use of shakudo, gold, red copper and silver (look at the tigers fangs) adds to the richness of this masterpiece. His skill at presenting the design is done in a way where there is a certain “liveliness” to the piece. This is masterpiece workmanship!The back is as good as the front with a scene of an old pine tree and a hint of the back of the tiger.This is definitely a tsuba to own as it is so enjoyable and has exquisite workmanship. Takase Eiju was a retainer of the Matsudaira family and studied with the famous Mito Kinko artist Taizan Motozane. An excellent piece for a serious collector. Custom fitted box included.

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T-132 Ko-Tosho Tsuba

SOLD

At least 1500’s

8.7 cm x 8.7 cm

Large No Hitsu Ko-Tosho

An all original Ko-Tosho tsuba in excellent condition. Many of these tsuba had kozuka or kogai hitsu added when remounted for later use in the Edo period. There are very few Ubu examples left of these old tsuba, making this a nice find. Most are said to be from the Muromachi period, but is a “safe” guess as the age. In our opinion, it is most likely that many of these tsuba could have possibly been from an earlier period. Tsuba were used like this from the earlier Nanbokucho period for example. Since the attribution is to Ko-meaning old Tosho, there is no question that this tsuba is at least from the Muromachi period. Tsuba has a nice ironplate that is well worked and hammered with beautiful simplistic sukashi of “ryusui” or running water. The design is very poetic and fitting of samurai esthetics of the period. Excellent iron quality and condition, and NOT resized like many old Tosho tsuba.

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T-103 Heianjo Sukashi Kiku

SOLD

1400-1500’s

Unsigned – guaranteed to pass Hozon (NBTHK) to the Heianjo School Muromachi period

87.2 x  85.2 mm seppa dai 3.5mm

 

Large Real Muromachi period Ubu Heianjo Tsuba.

Large excellent heianjo Sukashi tsuba from the Muromachi period. There are very few tsuba left in existence like this type. Many tsuba like this never survived as they were made very delicately. The sukashi work is very nice, as is the fine brass inlay. This is top quality work by the Heianjo School, and this type was made when the school was at its best during the 1400-1500’s. Very large sized for Tachi or large Uchigatana, no hitsu (Never modified) and Very very thin!!!! For those who are serious collectors of TRUE Muromachi pieces, not like those of the later Heianjo that are frequently seen. A very similar example was on display at the Sano Museum as an example of fine sukashi Heianjo work from the early period. In custom fitted box.

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1700-early 1800’s

Unsigned – we believe this piece will get a Hozon paper to Omori School or better.

3.26” x 2.93”  thickness at seppadai .12”

Very nice large shakudo tsuba done in mokkogata form. Very high level custom work (probably special ordered) as the Omori School did not usually do this shape. Excellent carving of waves with chidori birds, fine detail with many many gold dots for the sprays from the waves. Materials are all of top quality, as main schools such as this did not skimp on the materials one bit. True Omori pieces are rare, and custom made pieces are even more rare. The Omori School is one of the most famous Machibori Schools during the later part of the mid Edo period. In very good condition with a custom fitted box.

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T-123 Higo Nishigaki Kanshiro Tsuba

HOLD

1600’s

8.27cm top – bottom, 8cm side to side. 3.5mm thickness at seppa dai

Tsuba by Nishigaki Master Kanshiro

Nishigaki Kanshiro is the master of the Nishigaki School that was directly employed by Hosokawa Sansai (Higo Daimyo). His works are few, and are collected all over the world when found. Pieces appraised as his works are highly sought after, and now with the new book by Ito Mitsuru about the Nishigaki School, their appreciation has grown even more. Excellent iron plate (it is very hard to capture the “wetness” of the iron with a camera) with remnants of gold zogan done in the style of lightning. This tsuba resembles the works of Nakane Heihachiro, but Kanshiro also did this design as seen in the book by Ito. The design is very nicely done, and the well place shakudo hitsugane were done quite a while ago. This same design is seen on several Juyo Higo mounts and that alone shows this tsubas importance. A chance to own a certified work of a master from the famous Higo School.

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