This is a mumei (unsigned) tsuba attributed to the Ounin school, dating from the Muromachi period. It features a thin iron plate with a round shape, simple openwork, and brass inlay depicting patterns, notably around the hitsu-ana and seppa-dai, with star-shaped brass inlays. This piece is a classic example of an Ounin tsuba, characterized by its large yet thin construction, reminiscent of old sword-smith tsuba, and the four-star dot inlay on the outer edge.
Certificate reading — 無銘（応仁）
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Ounin · mid Muromachi (c. 1400-1450)
Onin School
mid Muromachi (c. 1400-1450)
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Iron-tsuba · Kyoto
The Ōnin school represents a distinctive category of late Muromachi period tsuba characterized by their unsigned status and their integration of thin iron plate construction with brass inlay decoration. While the name suggests a connection to the Ōnin era (1467–1469), contemporary scholarship places these works more broadly within the later Muromachi period. Learn more →
A Hozon-certified fitting of notably superior craftsmanship and condition, often with signature or workmanship of high reference 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 siteCustomer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
This is a mumei (unsigned) tsuba attributed to the Ounin school, dating from the Muromachi period. It features a thin iron plate with a round shape, simple openwork, and brass inlay depicting patterns, notably around the hitsu-ana and seppa-dai, with star-shaped brass inlays. This piece is a classic example of an Ounin tsuba, characterized by its large yet thin construction, reminiscent of old sword-smith tsuba, and the four-star dot inlay on the outer edge.
Certificate reading — 無銘（応仁）
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Ounin · mid Muromachi (c. 1400-1450)
Onin School
mid Muromachi (c. 1400-1450)
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Iron-tsuba · Kyoto
The Ōnin school represents a distinctive category of late Muromachi period tsuba characterized by their unsigned status and their integration of thin iron plate construction with brass inlay decoration. While the name suggests a connection to the Ōnin era (1467–1469), contemporary scholarship places these works more broadly within the later Muromachi period. Learn more →
A Hozon-certified fitting of notably superior craftsmanship and condition, often with signature or workmanship of high reference 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 siteCustomer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
![Tsuba - Tokuho - by Onin School - Mumei Onin Hyotan-sukashi-Arare-zogan-Tsuba [NBTHK] Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitbhfhyptogxcjbjfzwx.supabase.co%2Fstorage%2Fv1%2Fobject%2Fpublic%2Flisting-images%2Fworld-seiyudo%2FL32376%2F00.jpg&w=2560&q=90)
