Late 1700’s early 1800’s

7.26 cm x 6.81 cm x 4.1mm

This tsuba is one of the reasons why Naoharu is so well respected. This is a masterpiece for this artist from the illustrious Yanagawa School. Naoharu was the son of the Yanagawa Master Naomasa. He was born in 1750, and studied under Yanagawa Naomitsu. He was also an assistant to the master Naomitsu as well. He is rated as Yuko in the Kinko Jiten which is the 2nd highest rank and became the master of the Yanagawa School after Naomitsu. His works are well received by collectors all around the world.

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T-138 Signed Hayashi Shigemitsu

$6,500

Edo (1730-1816)

7.72 x 7.44 x .45 at rim

Design of Scattered Cherry Blossoms Sukashi

What is better than an unsigned Hayashi Shigemitsu? An unusually rare signed example by the second generation Higo master of course! It is said that there are probably less than 15-signed Hayashi Shigemitsu tsuba in existence. Whatever the case they are few and far between as he did not sign his tsuba in deference to who he was making them for and because he style of signature was done with a fine chisel, causing the signatures to literally wear down and become lost.

In this particular tsuba, Shigemitsu makes Higo classic use of gold nunome zogan on an excellent iron plate that displays all the characteristics that the Hayashi school is known and famous for.

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T-153 Hirata Tsuba

$2,500 Spring Sale

Early Edo

7.79 cm x 7.23 cm x 3.2 mm at the rim

Excellent Hirata Tsuba

Rare to find good representations of the Hirata school, Hirata Hikozo was one of the most famous Higo metalworkers and was the teacher to both first generation Jingo and Kanshiro. He worked under the patronage of Hosokawa Sansai who was famed for his love of tea ceremony. As such, Hikozo was highly influenced in this regard and many of his pieces reflect this aesthetic.

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T-160 Yagyu Tsuba

$2,750

Mid Edo

7.0 cm x 6.25 cm x 4.2 mm

Design of Wheel

Classic sukashi iron design of wheel. Yagyu Renya served Owari Mitsutomo and was the martial art instructor to the Tokugawa shogunate. He was famed for his swordsmanship and won many duels. Later on in life, he became interested in the spiritual aspects of swordsmanship and this fascination bore out in to his design of "Yagyu" Tsuba. The works are smaller than most regular tsuba and are famous for their mokume grain developed in the forging technique of Yagyu. The tsuba are often thick with strong designs that reflect the martial discipline and spirit of samurai. This particular tsuba design is of wheel and is a typical theme of the Yagyu school. A good tsuba for those interested in Yagyu, the work is simple and has the mokume grain in the rim and classic Yagyu iron. Comes in custom box and with NBTHK Hozon paper.

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C-105 Kagamishi Mirror Maker Tsuba

$2,500

Muromachi

75.8 x 76.5 x 6.1 mm 4.3mm at seppadai

NBTHK Hozon certified Kagamishi mirror maker tsuba of crane and tortoise. Rare mirromaker tsuba that was actually converted from a real mirror and made in to a tsuba.  The tsuba theme is of crane and tortoise, animals that were symbols of longevity. The mirror is made from hakudou a type of nickel copper alloy with hitsu ana plugged with lead. Fascinating tsuba in terms of its construction and design, this tsuba is a piece that would fit in any collection.

NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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FT-189 Akasaka Tsuba

$2,200

Mid Edo

7.56 x 7.47 x .50 cm at rim

Design of plumb blossom through window

Shodai Tadatoki was the fourth master of the Akasaka school, inheriting the position from 3rd master Masatora in 1707. His works are considered to be excellent and exemplary of the school. This tsuba is no exception with classic akasaka rim that is especially well defined and executed. Iron is in great condition and the design is well formed. Tsuba comes with NBTHK Hozon paper to Shodai (1st generation) Tadatoki.

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FT-192 Jingo Tsuba

$1,900

Late Edo

8.00 x 7.43 x .29 cm

Design of Chrysanthemum and Lighting

Jingo tsuba with suemon inlay of silver on iron, pattern is of chrysanthemum coupled with raimon (lighting) zogan inlay around the rim. Jingo school was renewed for their suemon inlay and strong iron. While this work is most probably of a later generation, it is well done and is a good tsuba for study or mount.

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FT-256 Hosokawa Mon Tsuba

$1350

1800’s

8cm x 7.5 cm

Very nice soft metal Higo tsuba. This type of tsuba was very popular during the late Edo period. The well done mons done in gold zogan show that the person who used or ordered this tsuba was a main vassal of the Hosokawa family. All of the mons belong to the Hosokawa family, and it is obvious what would happen to you if you used these mons without the proper permission.

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MF-428 Hamano Tsuba

$1100

1800’s

7.1 cm x 6.8 cm x 4.6 cm

Very nice shibuichi tsuba from the famous Hamano School. The Hamano School was very famous for their designs of warriors and battle scenes. Their carving techniques are very fine, as well as their use of mixed metals. This Chinese warrior is carved incredibly well, from the fine whiskers to the expression of his eyes. Even the horse is finely done, the mane is carefully carved with fine attention to the horses bridle as well. On the reverse, the classic tree carving of the Hamano School is found. This school has a very particular way of doing their tree trunks, and appears like it has life when viewed from afar. A very nice tsuba for both fine mounting or collecting.

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MF-362 Brass Wave Tsuba

$950

1800’s est.

7.4 cm x 7.1 cm x 6.1 mm

Nice, well cut shinchu brass tsuba with wave design. This tsuba is carved with good detail, the waves looking like they actually have movement to them. At a glance, it is possible that this is a Higo based tsuba but cannot say for sure without further study. No matter what school it is, the tsuba is done very nicely and would look fantastic on a koshirae, or just to be enjoyed on its own. The shape is very elegant as it tapers nicely from the thicker seppadai to the thinner rim. 

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MF-403 Mito Kinko Tsuba

$650

1800’s

6.1cm x 5.6cm x 3.8mm

Very nice wakizashi or tanto tsuba. Made up of high grade shibuichi, this is a very nice tsuba based upon the high quality carving of the design. The design of a man reading a book (perhaps under the moonlight) is enhanced by the fine detailed carving and also by using various soft metals such as gold, silver and shakudo. The fine lines on the huts roof are perfectly cut, and if you look carefully, the ultra small inlay of gold on the man’s clothing is exceptional. On the reverse, a waterfall is deeply carved under a katakiri carved branch of Pine. Though small, this tsuba does not lack in quality. In fact many tanto were worn by samurai of high status. Most likely by the famous Mito kinko school.

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MF-427 Bushu Masamitsu Tsuba

$500

1800’s

7.6cm x 7.2 cm x 5.3 mm

Very nice iron waves tsuba by the well known Bushu Ito school. The waves are very nicely carved, they appear as if they have motion to them showing the skill of the artist. Carved out of the iron surface, one does not realize what a difficult feat this really is!!. A true katana tsuba, and a nice tsuba for mounting.

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