This is an iron tsuba from the Satsuma school, featuring a dynamic design of a dragon in clouds (Unryu zu). It is a larger example for a Satsuma tsuba, characterized by strong iron forging and a unique carving style. The dragon's horns, eyes, flames, and the center of the clouds are subtly highlighted with gold inlay.
Certificate reading — 無銘（薩摩）
NihontoWatchSatsuma · Edo
Edo
Satsuma
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 siteIf the item's contents differ significantly from our description, we accept returns within 3 days counted from receipt. Because mail-order sales have no cooling-off provision under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, cooling-off is not available.
This is an iron tsuba from the Satsuma school, featuring a dynamic design of a dragon in clouds (Unryu zu). It is a larger example for a Satsuma tsuba, characterized by strong iron forging and a unique carving style. The dragon's horns, eyes, flames, and the center of the clouds are subtly highlighted with gold inlay.
Certificate reading — 無銘（薩摩）
NihontoWatchSatsuma · Edo
Edo
Satsuma
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 siteIf the item's contents differ significantly from our description, we accept returns within 3 days counted from receipt. Because mail-order sales have no cooling-off provision under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, cooling-off is not available.