This is a tsuba by Koudai Jingo, a prominent school of Higo metalwork known for bold designs. It features a cloud dragon motif, executed with sukidashibori (raised carving) and zougan (inlay) on an iron tsuchimeji (hammered surface) ground. The tsuba is certified as Hozon Tosogu by the NBTHK.
Certificate reading — 無銘（後代甚吾）
NihontoWatchBETAHigo · Edo
Shimizu School
Edo
Higo
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
23 pieces on the market now
The Shimizu school is one of the four mainline houses -- together with Hayashi, Hirata, and Nishigaki -- that represent the orthodox tradition of Higo kinko (肥後金工). Its founder, the first-generation Shimizu Jinbei, is traditionally said to have been a nephew of Hirata Hikozo, and to have studied under him. All four founding masters were retained by the great tea-master and warrior Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki) and received his direct guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Jingo甚五 | — | 14 |
| Nagatsugu永次 | 1691-1777 | 0 |
| Jingoro甚五郎 | 1620-1710 | 0 |
| Shigenaga茂永 | 1795-1854 | 0 |
| Jingo甚吾 | — | 0 |
Certifies a genuine fitting worth preserving: a correct signature, or, if unsigned, an identifiable era and school, with recognized artistic and craft value.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteReturns/exchanges/cancellations not accepted after shipment except for significant defects; if defective, return/exchange possible within 3 days of arrival (return shipping paid by customer).
This is a tsuba by Koudai Jingo, a prominent school of Higo metalwork known for bold designs. It features a cloud dragon motif, executed with sukidashibori (raised carving) and zougan (inlay) on an iron tsuchimeji (hammered surface) ground. The tsuba is certified as Hozon Tosogu by the NBTHK.
Certificate reading — 無銘（後代甚吾）
NihontoWatchBETAHigo · Edo
Shimizu School
Edo
Higo
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
23 pieces on the market now
The Shimizu school is one of the four mainline houses -- together with Hayashi, Hirata, and Nishigaki -- that represent the orthodox tradition of Higo kinko (肥後金工). Its founder, the first-generation Shimizu Jinbei, is traditionally said to have been a nephew of Hirata Hikozo, and to have studied under him. All four founding masters were retained by the great tea-master and warrior Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki) and received his direct guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Jingo甚五 | — | 14 |
| Nagatsugu永次 | 1691-1777 | 0 |
| Jingoro甚五郎 | 1620-1710 | 0 |
| Shigenaga茂永 | 1795-1854 | 0 |
| Jingo甚吾 | — | 0 |
Certifies a genuine fitting worth preserving: a correct signature, or, if unsigned, an identifiable era and school, with recognized artistic and craft value.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteReturns/exchanges/cancellations not accepted after shipment except for significant defects; if defective, return/exchange possible within 3 days of arrival (return shipping paid by customer).
