This is an Edo Higo tsuba featuring a karakusa (arabesque) scattered design. It is made of iron with a hammered surface, sukidashibori (relief carving), and zougan (inlay) techniques. The tsuba is certified as Hozon Tosogu by the NBTHK.
Certificate reading — 無銘（江戸肥後）
NihontoWatchBETAHigo · Edo
Higo Kinko School
Edo
Musashi
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
130 pieces on the market now
The Higo kinkō (肥後金工) tradition comprises the metalworkers who flourished in Higo province (modern Kumamoto) under the patronage of the Hosokawa daimyō house, from the Momoyama period into the late Edo period. Four families — Hayashi, Hirata, Nishigaki, and Shimizu — are regarded as representing the main line, and the first-generation masters of each were all retained by Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki), famed as a great commander and an accomplished master of the tea ceremony, and received his guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Misumi Masaharu三角正治 | — | 0 |
| Suwa Ikuhei諏訪幾平 | 1832-1903 | 0 |
| Miyamoto Musashi宮本武蔵 | 1584-1645 | 5 |
| Tsuge Yoshikatsu柘植吉勝 | — | 1 |
| Tani Denji谷伝次 | — | 1 |
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 an Edo Higo tsuba featuring a karakusa (arabesque) scattered design. It is made of iron with a hammered surface, sukidashibori (relief carving), and zougan (inlay) techniques. The tsuba is certified as Hozon Tosogu by the NBTHK.
Certificate reading — 無銘（江戸肥後）
NihontoWatchBETAHigo · Edo
Higo Kinko School
Edo
Musashi
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
130 pieces on the market now
The Higo kinkō (肥後金工) tradition comprises the metalworkers who flourished in Higo province (modern Kumamoto) under the patronage of the Hosokawa daimyō house, from the Momoyama period into the late Edo period. Four families — Hayashi, Hirata, Nishigaki, and Shimizu — are regarded as representing the main line, and the first-generation masters of each were all retained by Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki), famed as a great commander and an accomplished master of the tea ceremony, and received his guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Misumi Masaharu三角正治 | — | 0 |
| Suwa Ikuhei諏訪幾平 | 1832-1903 | 0 |
| Miyamoto Musashi宮本武蔵 | 1584-1645 | 5 |
| Tsuge Yoshikatsu柘植吉勝 | — | 1 |
| Tani Denji谷伝次 | — | 1 |
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).
