A pair of menuki by the highly regarded Nara craftsman Nara Masanaga, a student of Nara Toshinaga. These mid-Edo period menuki depict a reed-covered boat with a pair of waterfowls, crafted in suaka, shakudo, and silver with gold iroe details. The set is signed 'Nara Masanaga' on each edge and comes with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers.
Certificate reading — 銘 奈良・正長
mei · Nara · Edo









Nara Masanaga
Edo
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori
1 piece 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 |
| Narimasa成政 | — | 0 |
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 site3 day inspection period on all sales. Items can be returned for any reason for a full refund, less return shipping cost. Returned items must be in the same condition as when purchased.
A pair of menuki by the highly regarded Nara craftsman Nara Masanaga, a student of Nara Toshinaga. These mid-Edo period menuki depict a reed-covered boat with a pair of waterfowls, crafted in suaka, shakudo, and silver with gold iroe details. The set is signed 'Nara Masanaga' on each edge and comes with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers.
Certificate reading — 銘 奈良・正長
mei · Nara · Edo









Nara Masanaga
Edo
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori
1 piece 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 |
| Narimasa成政 | — | 0 |
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 site3 day inspection period on all sales. Items can be returned for any reason for a full refund, less return shipping cost. Returned items must be in the same condition as when purchased.