This is an unsigned tsuba attributed to Hayashi Tohachi, the 3rd generation of the Hayashi school, from the mid-Edo period. It features an elegant maru-gata (round) shape with intricate sukashi (openwork) depicting auspicious motifs such as sailing ships, snow rings, wild geese, weights, hats, and measuring boxes. The iron quality and preservation are excellent, with kin-nunome-zogan (gold overlay) on the rim adding to its appeal.
NihontoWatchmumei · Hayashi · Edo
Hayashi Tohachi
Edo
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
3 pieces on the market now
Higo · Higo
29 pieces on the market now
The Hayashi school of Higo metalworkers traces its origins to Hayashi Matahichi, founder of the lineage, who was born in Kumamoto in Keichō 18 (1613). His personal name was Seisaburō Shigeharu, and "Matahichi" served as his professional art name.
The family's ancestral roots lay in Owari Province, where they worked as gunsmiths (teppō kaji), though tradition holds they also produced tsuba from time to time. In the generation of Matahichi's father, Seibei, the family relocated to Higo Kumamoto in service to Katō Kiyomasa as gunsmiths. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Matashichi又七 | — | 52 |
| Shigemitsu重光 | — | 11 |
| Shigeyuki重之 | — | 0 |
| Matahachi又八 | — | 0 |
| Toshichi藤七 | — | 0 |
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 siteReturns accepted within 7 days of delivery (return shipping paid by customer); items must arrive in original condition; international orders cannot be returned.
This is an unsigned tsuba attributed to Hayashi Tohachi, the 3rd generation of the Hayashi school, from the mid-Edo period. It features an elegant maru-gata (round) shape with intricate sukashi (openwork) depicting auspicious motifs such as sailing ships, snow rings, wild geese, weights, hats, and measuring boxes. The iron quality and preservation are excellent, with kin-nunome-zogan (gold overlay) on the rim adding to its appeal.
NihontoWatchmumei · Hayashi · Edo
Hayashi Tohachi
Edo
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Higo · Higo
3 pieces on the market now
Higo · Higo
29 pieces on the market now
The Hayashi school of Higo metalworkers traces its origins to Hayashi Matahichi, founder of the lineage, who was born in Kumamoto in Keichō 18 (1613). His personal name was Seisaburō Shigeharu, and "Matahichi" served as his professional art name.
The family's ancestral roots lay in Owari Province, where they worked as gunsmiths (teppō kaji), though tradition holds they also produced tsuba from time to time. In the generation of Matahichi's father, Seibei, the family relocated to Higo Kumamoto in service to Katō Kiyomasa as gunsmiths. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Matashichi又七 | — | 52 |
| Shigemitsu重光 | — | 11 |
| Shigeyuki重之 | — | 0 |
| Matahachi又八 | — | 0 |
| Toshichi藤七 | — | 0 |
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 siteReturns accepted within 7 days of delivery (return shipping paid by customer); items must arrive in original condition; international orders cannot be returned.
