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Description

This is a fitting by Hamano Shozui, a highly skilled student of Nara Toshinaga and founder of the Hamano School. It features a 'Little Cuckoo' motif, referencing a Chinese tale of a master who turned into a cuckoo. The remarkably carved scene exemplifies Shozui's artistry at the final height of his career.

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Swords›Machibori›Nara›Hamano›Shozui›Shozui, at the age of 73
unknownJūyō
Hamano Shozui

Shozui, at the age of 73

Hamano School · Edo · nagasa 9.66cm

SOLD
Hamano Shozui — 1 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 2 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 3 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 4 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 5 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 6 of 6
1 / 6
1 / 6
Hamano Shozui — 1 of 6Hamano Shozui — 2 of 6Hamano Shozui — 3 of 6Hamano Shozui — 4 of 6Hamano Shozui — 5 of 6Hamano Shozui — 6 of 6
Measurements & details
Smith

Hamano School Hamano Shozui

Era

Edo

Papers

Jūyō

Description

This is a fitting by Hamano Shozui, a highly skilled student of Nara Toshinaga and founder of the Hamano School. It features a 'Little Cuckoo' motif, referencing a Chinese tale of a master who turned into a cuckoo. The remarkably carved scene exemplifies Shozui's artistry at the final height of his career.

About the maker

Shozui

政随

Machibori · Musashi

3 pieces on the market now

›

Hamano Masayuki was an outstanding talent among the disciples of Nara Toshihisa and was commonly known as Tarobei. He trained many pupils and established the Hamano school as one of the principal lineages of urban metalworkers (machibori), thereby founding an independent tradition comparable in stature to the Yokoya school. As recorded in the Edo Kinko Meifu, he "thundered through the world," gaining widespread fame as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Nara" (Nara Shitenno). He used numerous art names throughout his career, including Otsuryuken, Miboku, Kankei, Rifudo, Yukotei, Shuhosai, Hankeishi, Isshunan, and others. Among his followers, artists such as Kakusui, Naosui, and Masaryo are known as excellent craftsmen who carried forward the lineage.

Masayuki's technique was highly esteemed, and he excelled in every approach — whether in bold sukidashi-bori, nikiai-bori, nikubori, or katakiribori. His manner is characterized, as the Soken Kisho appraises it, by a preference for "the challenging," through which he reveals a bold spirit; his work is "brisk and forceful."[[c:1]] While inheriting the style of his master Toshihisa and incorporating mannerisms associated with Joi and Yasuchika, he devised an individual sculptural approach, adding distinctive nikubori-like modeling to high-relief subjects. The Hamano school's characteristic manner — using vertically oriented compositions and placing the principal subject in a large, forceful arrangement realized through realism — was firmly transmitted within the lineage.

In his later years, Masayuki left many powerful works that can be called distinctly his own, making vigorous use of robust high relief. His late pieces, often signed with age statements recording his seventies, fully display what the NBTHK describes as "the true essence of his art through the vigorous deployment of his powerful carving techniques." Works from this final period combine daring with attentiveness, their polychrome iroe accents executed with great care, standing as eloquent testaments to his elevated technical skill and the enduring vitality of the tradition he founded.

Historical importance

Where Shozui 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.

随一
Foremost
屈指
Leading
有数
Major
著名
Notable

Select a lens to see how it's measured.

Designation record
17 designated works
Jūyō Bijutsuhin
1
Jūyō
16
3 works by Shozui on the market→
Shozui — full profileMachibori school
About the school

Hamano

浜野

Machibori · Edo

31 pieces on the market now

›

The Hamano school of machibori carving was established in mid-Edo Edo by Hamano Masazui (浜野政隨), commonly known as Tarōbei, an exceptionally gifted pupil of Nara Toshihisa. As the Edo Kinkō Meifu states of him that he "thunders through the world," Masazui won widespread renown as one of the "Four Guardian Kings of Nara" (Nara Shitennō). Learn more →

11 recorded smiths40 designated works
Leading smiths
SmithEraDesignated
Shozui政随—17
Sekibun赤文16708
Noriyuki矩随—4
Yoshinao義直—0
Haruchika春親—0
Explore the Hamano school →
NBTHK Certificate
Jūyō Tōken重要刀剣
Important Sword
›

A blade of top-grade workmanship and condition, formally judged to rank with a nationally recognized Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin). Awarded only at the NBTHK’s competitive annual examination.

Of Japan’s roughly 2.5 million registered swords, only 12,307 (about 1 in 203) have ever attained Jūyō.

About the NBTHK›

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→
Seller
G
Ginza Seikodo
Established 1905 · 121 yrs on the market
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealerginzaseikodo.com
✓Ships worldwide✓English supportWire transfer
Return policy

Returns accepted within 7 days of receipt (JP terms; EN page states 3 days). Customer must contact within the window and return at own cost. Refund after items confirmed in original condition; repair fees charged if damage occurs.

View all of Ginza Seikodo’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More works by Hamano Shozui

View all →
Choshuya
Tokuho
Fuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira: Ebisu & Daikoku Rusumoyo-zu, Signed ShozuiFuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira: Ebisu & Daikoku Rusumoyo-zu, Signed Shozui

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
Ask
Ginza Seikodo
Tokuho
Fuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi Kashira: Miboku Shozui, Auspicious New Year MotifFuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi Kashira: Miboku Shozui, Auspicious New Year Motif

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
¥1,200,000
Nihonto Australia
Tsuba - by Hamano Shozui - SkeletonTsuba - by Hamano Shozui - Skeleton

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
Ask

Previously sold by Hamano Shozui

Choshuya
Tokuho
Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Pine Tree Design, Signed Hankeishi ShozuiTsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Pine Tree Design, Signed Hankeishi Shozui
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Yakiba
Tokuho
Mitokoromono - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Mitokorimono by Hamano Shozui / NBTHKMitokoromono - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Mitokorimono by Hamano Shozui / NBTHK
Sold

Mitokoromono

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Iida Koendo
Hozon
Fuchi-Kashira - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira by ShozuiFuchi-Kashira - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira by Shozui
Sold

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Tokuho
Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Kozuka with Water Buffalo Design, Signed Shozui, Aged 68Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Kozuka with Water Buffalo Design, Signed Shozui, Aged 68
Sold

Kozuka

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Tokuho
Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Group of Plovers Design, Signed Shozui at 67 years oldKozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Group of Plovers Design, Signed Shozui at 67 years old
Sold

Kozuka

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Samurai Nippon
Tokuho
Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Rakan Zu (Arhats)Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Rakan Zu (Arhats)
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Fuchi-Kashira - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira with Flock of Plovers Design, Signed Masayuki (Shozui)Fuchi-Kashira - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira with Flock of Plovers Design, Signed Masayuki (Shozui)
Sold

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Kusanagi
Hozon
Tsuba - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Hozon Tsuba by Masatsugu with Design of So Ein, Disciple of Hamano School Representative Toshinaga NaraTsuba - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Hozon Tsuba by Masatsugu with Design of So Ein, Disciple of Hamano School Representative Toshinaga Nara
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
TermsPrivacyCookiesAbout

Description

This is a fitting by Hamano Shozui, a highly skilled student of Nara Toshinaga and founder of the Hamano School. It features a 'Little Cuckoo' motif, referencing a Chinese tale of a master who turned into a cuckoo. The remarkably carved scene exemplifies Shozui's artistry at the final height of his career.

NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
MarketAuctionsEncyclopedia
Swords›Machibori›Nara›Hamano›Shozui›Shozui, at the age of 73
unknownJūyō
Hamano Shozui

Shozui, at the age of 73

Hamano School · Edo · nagasa 9.66cm

SOLD
Hamano Shozui — 1 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 2 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 3 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 4 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 5 of 6
Hamano Shozui — 6 of 6
1 / 6
1 / 6
Hamano Shozui — 1 of 6Hamano Shozui — 2 of 6Hamano Shozui — 3 of 6Hamano Shozui — 4 of 6Hamano Shozui — 5 of 6Hamano Shozui — 6 of 6
Measurements & details
Smith

Hamano School Hamano Shozui

Era

Edo

Papers

Jūyō

Description

This is a fitting by Hamano Shozui, a highly skilled student of Nara Toshinaga and founder of the Hamano School. It features a 'Little Cuckoo' motif, referencing a Chinese tale of a master who turned into a cuckoo. The remarkably carved scene exemplifies Shozui's artistry at the final height of his career.

About the maker

Shozui

政随

Machibori · Musashi

3 pieces on the market now

›

Hamano Masayuki was an outstanding talent among the disciples of Nara Toshihisa and was commonly known as Tarobei. He trained many pupils and established the Hamano school as one of the principal lineages of urban metalworkers (machibori), thereby founding an independent tradition comparable in stature to the Yokoya school. As recorded in the Edo Kinko Meifu, he "thundered through the world," gaining widespread fame as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Nara" (Nara Shitenno). He used numerous art names throughout his career, including Otsuryuken, Miboku, Kankei, Rifudo, Yukotei, Shuhosai, Hankeishi, Isshunan, and others. Among his followers, artists such as Kakusui, Naosui, and Masaryo are known as excellent craftsmen who carried forward the lineage.

Masayuki's technique was highly esteemed, and he excelled in every approach — whether in bold sukidashi-bori, nikiai-bori, nikubori, or katakiribori. His manner is characterized, as the Soken Kisho appraises it, by a preference for "the challenging," through which he reveals a bold spirit; his work is "brisk and forceful."[[c:1]] While inheriting the style of his master Toshihisa and incorporating mannerisms associated with Joi and Yasuchika, he devised an individual sculptural approach, adding distinctive nikubori-like modeling to high-relief subjects. The Hamano school's characteristic manner — using vertically oriented compositions and placing the principal subject in a large, forceful arrangement realized through realism — was firmly transmitted within the lineage.

In his later years, Masayuki left many powerful works that can be called distinctly his own, making vigorous use of robust high relief. His late pieces, often signed with age statements recording his seventies, fully display what the NBTHK describes as "the true essence of his art through the vigorous deployment of his powerful carving techniques." Works from this final period combine daring with attentiveness, their polychrome iroe accents executed with great care, standing as eloquent testaments to his elevated technical skill and the enduring vitality of the tradition he founded.

Historical importance

Where Shozui 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.

随一
Foremost
屈指
Leading
有数
Major
著名
Notable

Select a lens to see how it's measured.

Designation record
17 designated works
Jūyō Bijutsuhin
1
Jūyō
16
3 works by Shozui on the market→
Shozui — full profileMachibori school
About the school

Hamano

浜野

Machibori · Edo

31 pieces on the market now

›

The Hamano school of machibori carving was established in mid-Edo Edo by Hamano Masazui (浜野政隨), commonly known as Tarōbei, an exceptionally gifted pupil of Nara Toshihisa. As the Edo Kinkō Meifu states of him that he "thunders through the world," Masazui won widespread renown as one of the "Four Guardian Kings of Nara" (Nara Shitennō). Learn more →

11 recorded smiths40 designated works
Leading smiths
SmithEraDesignated
Shozui政随—17
Sekibun赤文16708
Noriyuki矩随—4
Yoshinao義直—0
Haruchika春親—0
Explore the Hamano school →
NBTHK Certificate
Jūyō Tōken重要刀剣
Important Sword
›

A blade of top-grade workmanship and condition, formally judged to rank with a nationally recognized Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin). Awarded only at the NBTHK’s competitive annual examination.

Of Japan’s roughly 2.5 million registered swords, only 12,307 (about 1 in 203) have ever attained Jūyō.

About the NBTHK›

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→
Seller
G
Ginza Seikodo
Established 1905 · 121 yrs on the market
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealerginzaseikodo.com
✓Ships worldwide✓English supportWire transfer
Return policy

Returns accepted within 7 days of receipt (JP terms; EN page states 3 days). Customer must contact within the window and return at own cost. Refund after items confirmed in original condition; repair fees charged if damage occurs.

View all of Ginza Seikodo’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More works by Hamano Shozui

View all →
Choshuya
Tokuho
Fuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira: Ebisu & Daikoku Rusumoyo-zu, Signed ShozuiFuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira: Ebisu & Daikoku Rusumoyo-zu, Signed Shozui

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
Ask
Ginza Seikodo
Tokuho
Fuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi Kashira: Miboku Shozui, Auspicious New Year MotifFuchi-Kashira - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi Kashira: Miboku Shozui, Auspicious New Year Motif

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
¥1,200,000
Nihonto Australia
Tsuba - by Hamano Shozui - SkeletonTsuba - by Hamano Shozui - Skeleton

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
Ask

Previously sold by Hamano Shozui

Choshuya
Tokuho
Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Pine Tree Design, Signed Hankeishi ShozuiTsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Pine Tree Design, Signed Hankeishi Shozui
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Yakiba
Tokuho
Mitokoromono - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Mitokorimono by Hamano Shozui / NBTHKMitokoromono - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Mitokorimono by Hamano Shozui / NBTHK
Sold

Mitokoromono

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Iida Koendo
Hozon
Fuchi-Kashira - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira by ShozuiFuchi-Kashira - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira by Shozui
Sold

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Tokuho
Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Kozuka with Water Buffalo Design, Signed Shozui, Aged 68Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Kozuka with Water Buffalo Design, Signed Shozui, Aged 68
Sold

Kozuka

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Tokuho
Kozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Group of Plovers Design, Signed Shozui at 67 years oldKozuka - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Group of Plovers Design, Signed Shozui at 67 years old
Sold

Kozuka

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Samurai Nippon
Tokuho
Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Rakan Zu (Arhats)Tsuba - Tokuho - by Hamano Shozui - Rakan Zu (Arhats)
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Choshuya
Fuchi-Kashira - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira with Flock of Plovers Design, Signed Masayuki (Shozui)Fuchi-Kashira - by Hamano Shozui - Fuchi-Kashira with Flock of Plovers Design, Signed Masayuki (Shozui)
Sold

Fuchi-Kashira

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD
Kusanagi
Hozon
Tsuba - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Hozon Tsuba by Masatsugu with Design of So Ein, Disciple of Hamano School Representative Toshinaga NaraTsuba - Hozon - by Hamano Shozui - Hozon Tsuba by Masatsugu with Design of So Ein, Disciple of Hamano School Representative Toshinaga Nara
Sold

Tsuba

ByHamano Shozui
SOLD

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
TermsPrivacyCookiesAbout
NihontoWatch Mon

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Encyclopedia
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Encyclopedia