C-103 Yoshioka Inabanosuke Vine Tsuba

$3,800

Mid/Late Edo

Yoshioka Inabanosuke - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

75.2 mm x 69.2 mm x 3.8 mm

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified shibuichi tsuba of vines signed Yoshioka Inabanosuke. Inabanosuke was the name used by several generations of this school. The Inabanosuke line were direct retainers to the Tokugawa shogunate the entire Edo period.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon. Custom kiri box.

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$2,500

Mid/Late Edo

Unsigned - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon to Nishigaki

7.54 x 7.24 x .38 cm

Excellent NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified iron tsuba to Nishigaki.

Collector grade tsuba of Kuyomon in gold and silver with surrounding raimon zogan and excellent shakudo inlay in the kogai and kozuka ana. Founded by Kanshiro the first, Nishigaki tsuba are famous for their sense of grace. Good collector grade Higo tsuba are getting harder and harder to find, hurry and pick up one for your collection before they are gone!

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon. Custom kiri box.

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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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C-104 Kanayama Tsuba Saiyu Sankai Hishi Design

$2,500

Muromachi

Unsigned - NBTHK Hozon attribution Kanayama

7.16 mm x 70.9 mm x 4.7 mm
3.9mm at seppa-dai

NBTHK  Hozon certified iron tsuba to Kanayama school. The piece is classic muromachi period work with deep dark patina and thick prominent tekkotsu. Iron looks wet especially around the rim. Slight inward dished out feeling give it the strong impressive feel typical of Kanayama. The tsuba looks much wetter than in the picture. This is a good example piece for Kanayama work and would make a perfect fit in a collection of pre-Edo period iron.

NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with kiri box.

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C-112 Akasaka Tsuba

$1,200

1700’s

Unsigned – guaranteed to pass Hozon (NBTHK) to the Akasaka

7.66   x 7.39 x .46 cm at the rim

Akasaka Tsuba of Pine and Rake

Interesting iron tsuba of pine tree, clouds, and rake. We guarantee attribution to Akasaka School if papered through us within a year of purchase. In our opinion, the work and features strongly resemble that of Tadatoki the 5th. In good condition with kebori still intact and classic Akasaka 3 layer sanmai construction visible as well as classic Akasaka sukashi. For the collector looking to get in to Akasaka pieces at an affordable price with classic Akasaka features or the Akasaka collector looking to fill out their collection with this unusual design (fun theme as I recall), this is a great tsuba to own. Comes with kiri box.

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T-105 Norisuke Wave Tsuba

SOLD

Late Edo

Bifu Ju Norisuke saku

76.3mm x 70.8mm 

Signed tsuba by one of the most famous tsuba makers from the Owari area. Norisuke is one of the most well known tsuba makers from Owari. Signed pieces of the Shodai (1st generation) are rare as many of his tsuba were faked to makers such as Nobuiye and Yamakichibei. The quality and workmanship of his iron was so convincingly good, even many tsuba experts had trouble telling the difference between a real Nobuiye and one made by Norisuke.

100% guaranteed to pass NBTHK Hozon shinsa if sent through us from up to one year of purchase date.

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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-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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Mid Edo

Unsigned - NBTHK Hozon to Hayashi

Excellent NBTHK Hozon certified iron tsuba to Higo Hayashi.
Collector grade tsuba design of plum blossoms with classic textbook Hayashi school iron in migaki ji and well executed kebori. Founded by Hayashi Matashichi and carried on by such great artisans as Shigemitsu and Tohachi, Higo Hayashi tsuba are prized for their subtle refinement and elegance. Beautiful lustrous patina makes this a standout piece to appreciate.

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C-109 Goto Seijo Tsuba of Bamboo and Moon

SOLD

Edo

Goto Seijo -NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified

 

Excellent signed Goto Seijo Tsuba

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon tsuba by Goto Seijo. The tsuba has a quiet elegance befitting of the Goto family. The bamboo done in takabori shows understated taste, and coupled with the sparing use of inlay for the crescent moon, this tsuba imparts  a high sense of class. It is rare to find Tsuba signed by Goto family. There were seven generations of the Goto Seijo line with very similar signatures. This tsuba probably is the work of the first as NBTHK will usually write the generations in the attribution.  The Kinko Meikan lists all seven Seijo's together and rates them all from Ryoko to Jokko. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified.

 

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S-103 Choshu Hagi Ju Nyudo Tomokiyo Tsuba

1700-1750

Iron tsuba signed Choshu Hagi Ju Nyudo Tomokiyo and published in both the Tosogu Shinsa No Shiori and new Kinko Meikan.
Design of fans with plum sukashi on one side and matsu pine on the other. Top and bottom design of fans in kin nunome zogan. The rim work in raimon zogan (thunder).  This raimon technique was first orginated by Umetada Myjou and can also be seen in works by the Odawara Ito. Iron is done in polished migaki-ji and has a deep dark patina.

 

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C-102 Toshitsugu Dragon Tsuba

SOLD

Late Edo

Signed Seishinsai with (Seal)

66.1 x 60.9 x 4.7 mm

 

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certified iron tsuba signed Seishinsai. Seishinsai was one of Toryusai(Tanaka) Toshitsugu's many nom de plumes. He was originally a student of Akao Yoshitsugu but later became Tanaka Kiyotoshi's student and was in the Takahasi line. He was also used the names Ishikawasai, Jinsai, Tounsai, and Kanejiro. From the Late Edo period. The power and strength of this work speaks for itself in the incredible use of inlay, iroe, and the takabori relief on and around the dragon. This work not only is certified Tokubetsu Hozon but also comes with Sato Kanzan Hagokaki attributing the tsuba to Toshitsugu. Toshitsugu is rated as a Koshu smith and it is easy to say why in this tsuba.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

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C-110 Iron Crane Tsuba

1700’s-1800’s

Every tsuba collector in the world should know this design. It is the most wanted iron tsuba design for many years. Yet real examples are few and far between, many modern knockoffs that have been faked to look older are everywhere. This tsuba we guarantee to pass NBTHK shinsa if sent through us within 1 year of purchase.
Well cut tsuba with design of a crane spreading his wings. The design is well cut and in good condition. Mimi is maru, with masame and what might be some tekkotsu (iron bones). Nice smooth patina, looks way better in person than in the pics, large size also a plus. It is what it is, a very nice REAL crane sukashi tsuba.

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S-101 Kamakura Tsuba

Late Momoyama/ Early Edo

Classic Kamakura-bori Tsuba

Iron Kamakura tsuba design of pagoda and gourd in sukashi. Kamakura tsuba were called “Kamakura” after the place they were thought to originate from rather than to the Kamakura period. In Kansai Japan, they were known as Kanto tsuba or “Eastern” tsuba. There is some speculation that may have developed out of the Katchu/Tosho tradition. Often they depict scenes from Chinese landscapes and have sukashi work. This particular tsuba is a classic example of Kamakura tsuba with thick gravelly looking iron and excellent ko sukashi niku carving. A single gourd done in sukashi completes this fine example. Comes in kiri box.

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S-102 Naoaki Tsuba

Late Edo - Meiji

NBTHK Hozon certified iron tsuba signed Naoaki. Naoaki was a student of Naokatsu and later of Kano Natsuo. He like many other in the Naokatsu school were famous for their Nobuie utsushi copy works. This large tsuba depicts the moon and wave on the front and pine on the ura and is done in the manner of Nobuie. Naoaki was rated as ryokou smith.

 

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