(Mei) Tetsugendo Naofusa, Phoenix Sukashi Tsuba, with Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu certificate. Vertical x Horizontal: 8.1cm x 7.8cm Thickness: 0.4cm The ground (ji) is iron. The upper part of the tsuba depicts the face and body of a phoenix with sharp eyes, while the lower part depicts flapping wings in ji-sukashi, creating a dynamic design. The feathers are meticulously crafted one by one from the head to the tips of the wings on both the omote and ura sides of the tsuba, and even on the mimi, making this a rare and exceptionally well-made piece. Tetsugendo Naofusa was the adopted son of the first Tetsugendo Shoraku. He later divorced and returned to his birth family, changing his name to Eiju. His style includes tsuba and kozuka with figures, animals, and plants depicted in high relief (takabori), nikubori, and ji-sukashi on an iron ground. He lived in Osaka and Kyoto. Mid-Edo period (from the Koso Kingu Jiten [Dictionary of Metalworking]). This piece is listed in the Kinko Meikan [Directory of Metal Smiths]. Metal Smith: Naofusa, Tetsugen-dou (Son in law of Shoraku Testugen-dou) Period: In the middle of Edo Period Design: Phoenix Paper: Tokubetsu Hozon This work is in a book, encyclopedia for signature in Japanese metal works Depth×Width: 8.1cm×7.8cm Thickness:0.4cm
Certificate reading — 銘 鉄元堂 尚房
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Edo
Tetsugendo Naofusa
Edo
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori · Yamashiro · Edo
3 pieces on the market now
Where Naofusa 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.
Machibori · Yamashiro
23 pieces on the market now
The Tetsugendo (鉄元堂) lineage emerged in Kyoto during the mid-Edo period, founded by Okamoto Genbei Toshiyuki, who trained under Tetsuya Denbei Kuniharu (鉄屋伝兵衛国治). Known by his working name Naoshige (尚茂), the founder later adopted the art name Shoraku (正楽) after taking Buddhist tonsure, and died in An'ei 9 (1780). The lineage passed to a second generation, Naofusa (尚房), whose works also survive. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Shoraku正楽 | — | 13 |
| Yamazaki Ichiga山﨑一賀 | — | 3 |
| Ayanokoji Nagamine綾小路永峯 | — | 0 |
| Chikusai竹斎 | — | 0 |
| Tomotsune知恒 | — | 0 |
A Hozon-certified fitting of notably superior craftsmanship and condition, often with signature or workmanship of high reference 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 siteFor purchases made through the website, we accept returns of the item as a cooling-off period within one week of its arrival.
(Mei) Tetsugendo Naofusa, Phoenix Sukashi Tsuba, with Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu certificate. Vertical x Horizontal: 8.1cm x 7.8cm Thickness: 0.4cm The ground (ji) is iron. The upper part of the tsuba depicts the face and body of a phoenix with sharp eyes, while the lower part depicts flapping wings in ji-sukashi, creating a dynamic design. The feathers are meticulously crafted one by one from the head to the tips of the wings on both the omote and ura sides of the tsuba, and even on the mimi, making this a rare and exceptionally well-made piece. Tetsugendo Naofusa was the adopted son of the first Tetsugendo Shoraku. He later divorced and returned to his birth family, changing his name to Eiju. His style includes tsuba and kozuka with figures, animals, and plants depicted in high relief (takabori), nikubori, and ji-sukashi on an iron ground. He lived in Osaka and Kyoto. Mid-Edo period (from the Koso Kingu Jiten [Dictionary of Metalworking]). This piece is listed in the Kinko Meikan [Directory of Metal Smiths]. Metal Smith: Naofusa, Tetsugen-dou (Son in law of Shoraku Testugen-dou) Period: In the middle of Edo Period Design: Phoenix Paper: Tokubetsu Hozon This work is in a book, encyclopedia for signature in Japanese metal works Depth×Width: 8.1cm×7.8cm Thickness:0.4cm
Certificate reading — 銘 鉄元堂 尚房
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Edo
Tetsugendo Naofusa
Edo
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori · Yamashiro · Edo
3 pieces on the market now
Where Naofusa 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.
Machibori · Yamashiro
23 pieces on the market now
The Tetsugendo (鉄元堂) lineage emerged in Kyoto during the mid-Edo period, founded by Okamoto Genbei Toshiyuki, who trained under Tetsuya Denbei Kuniharu (鉄屋伝兵衛国治). Known by his working name Naoshige (尚茂), the founder later adopted the art name Shoraku (正楽) after taking Buddhist tonsure, and died in An'ei 9 (1780). The lineage passed to a second generation, Naofusa (尚房), whose works also survive. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Shoraku正楽 | — | 13 |
| Yamazaki Ichiga山﨑一賀 | — | 3 |
| Ayanokoji Nagamine綾小路永峯 | — | 0 |
| Chikusai竹斎 | — | 0 |
| Tomotsune知恒 | — | 0 |
A Hozon-certified fitting of notably superior craftsmanship and condition, often with signature or workmanship of high reference 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 siteFor purchases made through the website, we accept returns of the item as a cooling-off period within one week of its arrival.
