This is a rare pair of Shishi (lion dog) menuki from the Inagawa school, a lineage connected to the highly regarded Yokoya school. They are unsigned (mumei) but exhibit the characteristic workmanship of the school, crafted in high-quality shakudo with lustrous gold details. The menuki come with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate, confirming their authenticity and quality.
Certificate reading — 無銘（稲川）
NihontoWatchmumei · Inagawa · Edo
Edo
Unsigned
Hozon
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 siteThis is a rare pair of Shishi (lion dog) menuki from the Inagawa school, a lineage connected to the highly regarded Yokoya school. They are unsigned (mumei) but exhibit the characteristic workmanship of the school, crafted in high-quality shakudo with lustrous gold details. The menuki come with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate, confirming their authenticity and quality.
Certificate reading — 無銘（稲川）
NihontoWatchmumei · Inagawa · Edo
Edo
Unsigned
Hozon
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