This kogai features a design of countless maple leaves rendered in sukidashi-bori on a shakudo ground. Maple leaves have been cherished since ancient times as a representative autumn motif, admired for their beautiful autumn colors, and were favored as an elegant design in sword fittings. The sukidashi-bori technique creates a raised pattern by carving away the background, meticulously detailing the leaf veins and overlapping leaves to express a scene of maple leaves dancing in the autumn wind. The deep black shakudo ground harmonizes with the carving, creating a profound aesthetic.
Certificate reading — 銘 北休（花押）
NihontoWatchmei · Edo
Hokkyu
Edo
Hizen
Signed
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 siteDomestic: items may be returned within 7 days in original condition for a full refund (buyer covers transport). Overseas orders: no-refunds, no-returns.
This kogai features a design of countless maple leaves rendered in sukidashi-bori on a shakudo ground. Maple leaves have been cherished since ancient times as a representative autumn motif, admired for their beautiful autumn colors, and were favored as an elegant design in sword fittings. The sukidashi-bori technique creates a raised pattern by carving away the background, meticulously detailing the leaf veins and overlapping leaves to express a scene of maple leaves dancing in the autumn wind. The deep black shakudo ground harmonizes with the carving, creating a profound aesthetic.
Certificate reading — 銘 北休（花押）
NihontoWatchmei · Edo
Hokkyu
Edo
Hizen
Signed
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 siteDomestic: items may be returned within 7 days in original condition for a full refund (buyer covers transport). Overseas orders: no-refunds, no-returns.