KZ-103 Haruaki Hogen Kozuka

$2,800

Late Edo

Bunsei 11 Tsuchinoe-ne Haruaki Hogen –NBTHK Kicho

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.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

C-105 Ichiryuken Motochika Kozuka

$2,500

Late Edo - 1800

Signed Ichiryuken Motochika - NBTHK Hozon

 

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.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-106 Omori Hizen line Tomohide Kozuka of Dragon

$2,200

1800’s

9.69 cm long 1.43 cm wide

Hizen Tomohide Kozuka of Dragon

Excellent mix metal kozuka by Miyake smith Tomohide. Excellent ishime ground plate with superb high relief dragon. Kozuka is lined with gold rim, ura in shakudo and shibuichi, sides in copper. The Miyake line were direct retainers to the Mori Daimyo and came from the Yokoya tradition and were part of the Omori line. Worked in both Hizen Nagasaki and Edo areas.  We guarantee the signature to be genuine. Kozuka comes with custom box.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-111 Ko-Goto Kozuka

$1,800

Momoyama

9.95 length x 1.51 panel width x .57 cm thickness

Shakudo nanako Oars 

Deep dark shakudo nanako kozuka of oars. The piece has a lot of age on it and probably is the work of a Ko-Goto master. This theme was popular with Goto Sojo. The nice coloring and feel of the piece do not preclude him from possibly having made this kozuka. Kozuka is in good condition but has some wear which is to be expected considering the age. Comes in kiri box.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-110 Snake Kozuka

$1500

Edo

9.63 length x 1.42 panel width x .43 cm thickness

Excellent Snake Kozuka 

Top notch shakudo nanako plate with gold snake kozuka. This piece is very tastefully done and reflects the style of Kyoto, possibly branch line Goto. The kozuka is in great condition and depicts a snake which in this instance is probably a representation of its place in the lunar zodiac calendar.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-108  Tigers in River

$1300

Mid/ Late Edo

9.6 cm length, 1.38cm panel width, .05 cm thickness

Gorgeous kozuka with an excellent carved famous design.

This subject was originally done by a Goto master and famously copied by Kanno Natsuo. When well done this theme is very enjoyable, depicting a mother tiger carrying her cubs across one side of a river to another.. Classic Goto tight nanako background in pristine condition. Done in high quality and care, this kozuka is an excellent piece to collect and own. This piece has not been submitted to shinsa but because of the technique used in the mixed metals and detailed carving, the work is most likely that of a Goto branch school.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-109 Birds over River

$500

Late Edo

Birds 9.74 cm length x 1.42 panel width x .49 cm thickness

Nicely done shakudo kozuka 

Great condition kozuka of birds over trees and river. The work is well done particularly the way the river has been detailed with stream inlets running in to the nanako. Overall the effect is very pleasing and enjoyable. Silver and gold inlay with nice shakudo and a reasonable price make this a good piece. The kozuka has not been submitted to shinsa and we think it maybe Ichijo school work

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-104 Hamano Naoyuki Kozuka –Published NBTHK #533

SOLD

Mid/Late Edo

Oite Shinshu Aisomegawa Hen Chou Kore Hamano Naoyuki–NBTHK Hozon

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-107  Momiji Kozuka

SOLD

Early 1800’s

9.7cm length, 1.5cm panel width, .1mm thickness

Beautiful Maple Leaves Top Grade Kozuka

Very heavy gorgeous kozuka with a very well cut design of maple leaves. Momiji or maple leaf is a very popular subject among the Bushi in Japan. As many of the Japanese people always appreciate the different seasons, one of the most beautiful ones is that of fall. The turning of the maple leaves has a very poetic feeling that was embraced and enjoyed by the samurai class. Some say that the turning of the leaves signifies change in a beautiful manner. Some say it is tied to the subject of being “reborn”. Whatever the meaning, this subject when well executed as in this piece is very enjoyable. Excellent gold work on the precise shakudo nanako background. Very carefully done gold foiled casing as well. All show quality and care of the highest level. The pictures speak for themselves. In very good condition.

Click on picture for a more detailed look.

 

KZ-102 Mito Mototoshi Kozuka

SOLD

Late Edo

Signed Motochika

9.68 cm long 1.45 cm wide

Excellent shibuichi kozuka by Mito Mototoshi with gold, silver, and shakudo.  The work alludes to a famous story within the Three Kingdoms and is of a general’s encampment. Good use of mix metal work here with nice patina on the shibuichi. Mototoshi was from the Okawa family and was also known as Yogoro. He was a student of Okawa Motosada. We guarantee the signature to be genuine

Click on picture for a more detailed look.