This tsuba, signed by Karatsu ju Masakuni, features a unique design depicting a mirage with a clam and a dragon in a 'rusu moyo' (absence pattern). Made of iron, it showcases intricate thread-sukashi and nunome-zogan techniques. The piece is from the mid to late Edo period and measures 7.98cm in height and 6.7cm in width.
mei · Edo






Ito Masakuni
Edo
Hizen
Signed
Iron-tsuba · Musashi
6 pieces on the market now
Iron-tsuba · Musashi
52 pieces on the market now
The Ito school (伊藤派) was a prolific kinkō lineage based in Kanda, Edo, in Musashi province. The line was established by Masanaga (正長, d.
1727), who received appointment as official tsuba maker (kōgi o-kakae tsubashi) to the Tokugawa Shogunate following an audience with Shogun Ienobu in 1710. Successive heads bore the character 正 (Masa-) in their art names, producing ten recorded generations from the Genroku era through the Meiji period. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Katsumi勝見 | — | 4 |
| Sadatsune貞恒 | — | 0 |
| Masayoshi正備 | — | 0 |
| Masatsune正常 | — | 0 |
| Masakane正金 | — | 0 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
This tsuba, signed by Karatsu ju Masakuni, features a unique design depicting a mirage with a clam and a dragon in a 'rusu moyo' (absence pattern). Made of iron, it showcases intricate thread-sukashi and nunome-zogan techniques. The piece is from the mid to late Edo period and measures 7.98cm in height and 6.7cm in width.
mei · Edo






Ito Masakuni
Edo
Hizen
Signed
Iron-tsuba · Musashi
6 pieces on the market now
Iron-tsuba · Musashi
52 pieces on the market now
The Ito school (伊藤派) was a prolific kinkō lineage based in Kanda, Edo, in Musashi province. The line was established by Masanaga (正長, d.
1727), who received appointment as official tsuba maker (kōgi o-kakae tsubashi) to the Tokugawa Shogunate following an audience with Shogun Ienobu in 1710. Successive heads bore the character 正 (Masa-) in their art names, producing ten recorded generations from the Genroku era through the Meiji period. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Katsumi勝見 | — | 4 |
| Sadatsune貞恒 | — | 0 |
| Masayoshi正備 | — | 0 |
| Masatsune正常 | — | 0 |
| Masakane正金 | — | 0 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.