This is an unsigned tsuba featuring an Enso (circle) and scattered kotobashira (bridge of a koto) design, attributed to a later generation of the Higo Jingo school. It is made of iron with a hammered ground and sukidashi-bori (raised carving) and zogan (inlay) techniques, with a maru-mimi (round rim). The piece comes with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate, confirming its authenticity and quality.
Certificate reading — 無銘（後代甚吾）
NihontoWatchmumei · Higo · Edo
Shimizu School
Edo
Higo
Unsigned
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 siteCooling-off (returns or exchanges) is accepted within 3 days of the item's arrival. Return shipping and refund transfer fees are the customer's responsibility. Fees other than the item price (transfer fees, credit card fees, etc.) cannot be refunded. Returns and refunds are not available for overseas destinations.
This is an unsigned tsuba featuring an Enso (circle) and scattered kotobashira (bridge of a koto) design, attributed to a later generation of the Higo Jingo school. It is made of iron with a hammered ground and sukidashi-bori (raised carving) and zogan (inlay) techniques, with a maru-mimi (round rim). The piece comes with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate, confirming its authenticity and quality.
Certificate reading — 無銘（後代甚吾）
NihontoWatchmumei · Higo · Edo
Shimizu School
Edo
Higo
Unsigned
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 siteCooling-off (returns or exchanges) is accepted within 3 days of the item's arrival. Return shipping and refund transfer fees are the customer's responsibility. Fees other than the item price (transfer fees, credit card fees, etc.) cannot be refunded. Returns and refunds are not available for overseas destinations.
