This is a rare kozuka by Hirado Kunishige, crafted from shakudo, which is an exceedingly uncommon material for this maker. The piece exhibits the Namban style with skillful carving that extends over the front and edges. It is accompanied by NBTHK Hozon papers and housed in a Paulownia wood box.
NihontoWatch
Hirado Kunishige
Edo
Hizen
Signed
Hozon (NBTHK)
Kinko · around 1670
3 pieces on the market now
Where Kunishige stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Kinko · Hizen
4 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kunishige国重 | 1670 | 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 siteThis is a rare kozuka by Hirado Kunishige, crafted from shakudo, which is an exceedingly uncommon material for this maker. The piece exhibits the Namban style with skillful carving that extends over the front and edges. It is accompanied by NBTHK Hozon papers and housed in a Paulownia wood box.
NihontoWatchHirado Kunishige
Edo
Hizen
Signed
Hozon (NBTHK)
Kinko · around 1670
3 pieces on the market now
Where Kunishige stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Kinko · Hizen
4 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kunishige国重 | 1670 | 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 site
