This is a very rare early Christian tsuba from the Momoyama period, attributed to the Ko-Kinko school. Christian cross tsuba are historically significant, often featuring disguised motifs due to the prohibition of Christianity in Japan during the Edo period. This piece is accompanied by an NBTHK Hozon Certificate, confirming its authenticity and quality.
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Ko-Kinko · Momoyama
Momoyama
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
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 site
This is a very rare early Christian tsuba from the Momoyama period, attributed to the Ko-Kinko school. Christian cross tsuba are historically significant, often featuring disguised motifs due to the prohibition of Christianity in Japan during the Edo period. This piece is accompanied by an NBTHK Hozon Certificate, confirming its authenticity and quality.
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Ko-Kinko · Momoyama
Momoyama
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
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 site
