NihontoWatchNihontoWatchTosho tsuba are said to have originated from those provided by swordsmiths when they forged a sword in ancient times, which is how they received this name. In the past, the venerable Akiyama Kyusaku said that some had passed through 600 years of time, but in recent years they were considered to be from around the middle of the Muromachi period. However, in "The Origin of Tosogu," Sasano Masayuki defined them as dating from the Kamakura period, as they were attached to the uchigatana worn at the waist by servants appearing in the "Ban Dainagon Ekotoba." This tsuba has small dots reminiscent of nanako struck across the entire hiraji, and then suhama, tomoe, and water droplets are pierced throughout. With its dynamic, organic sukashi, the round shape also has a subtle movement and character, resulting in a very charming finish. Furthermore, the rust color of the iron has a moist luster, the state of preservation is excellent, and it has a sense of age that does not fall later than the early Muromachi period. The fact that it is mubitsu is also desirable, making it a rare masterpiece of ko-tosho tsuba. While the Hozon Kyokai appraises tsuba with dots struck on the hiraji like this as "Ko-katchushi," Sasano Masayuki classifies those "without a mimi as Ko-tosho."
NihontoWatchOffered by Gallery Youyou
Pre-Edo
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
As written by the shop
Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors ·
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 is not to your liking, we accept returns. As each item is one of a kind, please contact us within 7 days, counting the day of arrival, and send it back securely packed within a day or two of contacting us. Return shipping is at the customer's expense. Items delivered overseas cannot be returned.
¥550,000