This tsuba, signed Tsuneshige of the Nara school, features a dynamic design of a fierce tiger in a bamboo grove. Made in the mid-Edo period in Musashi province, it showcases high relief carving with brass ishime ground and iroe accents. The powerful movement of the tiger emerging from the bamboo is effectively conveyed through the sukibori technique, with gold iroe and shakudo inlay for the eyes.
mei · Nara · Edo

Nara Tsuneshige
Edo
Musashi
Signed
Hozon (NBTHK)
Machibori · Edo
3 pieces on the market now
Machibori · Edo
79 pieces on the market now
The Nara school of kinko (metalwork) emerged in the mid-Edo period as one of the most celebrated independent traditions of sword-fitting craftsmanship, its masters working outside the patronage structures that governed the Goto house. The school coalesced around the figure of Nara Toshihisa (1667--1736), also known as Tahee, who as head master during its creative zenith defined the mature idiom of the lineage. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Yasuchika安親 | — | 88 |
| Joi乗意 | — | 12 |
| Toshinaga利寿 | — | 28 |
| Toshiyoshi利善 | — | 0 |
| Shigechika重親 | — | 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 siteIf, 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 Tsuneshige of the Nara school, features a dynamic design of a fierce tiger in a bamboo grove. Made in the mid-Edo period in Musashi province, it showcases high relief carving with brass ishime ground and iroe accents. The powerful movement of the tiger emerging from the bamboo is effectively conveyed through the sukibori technique, with gold iroe and shakudo inlay for the eyes.
mei · Nara · Edo

Nara Tsuneshige
Edo
Musashi
Signed
Hozon (NBTHK)
Machibori · Edo
3 pieces on the market now
Machibori · Edo
79 pieces on the market now
The Nara school of kinko (metalwork) emerged in the mid-Edo period as one of the most celebrated independent traditions of sword-fitting craftsmanship, its masters working outside the patronage structures that governed the Goto house. The school coalesced around the figure of Nara Toshihisa (1667--1736), also known as Tahee, who as head master during its creative zenith defined the mature idiom of the lineage. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Yasuchika安親 | — | 88 |
| Joi乗意 | — | 12 |
| Toshinaga利寿 | — | 28 |
| Toshiyoshi利善 | — | 0 |
| Shigechika重親 | — | 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 siteIf, 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.