This is a pair of menuki by a Kyo-Kanagushi maker from the Edo period. Crafted from shakudo with a deep black finish, they feature a golden lion design. The motif includes a hijosashi (ruler for grooves), a tool often depicted in menuki with family crests, though none are explicitly mentioned here. These menuki come with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate.
Certificate reading — 無銘(京金具師)
mumei · Kyo-Kanagushi · Edo



Kyo-kanagushi School
Edo
Yamashiro
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Kinko · Yamashiro
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 must be shipped within 3 days of delivery. Excludes modified/damaged items or past the deadline. Return shipping paid by customer. Overseas orders cannot be returned/refunded.
This is a pair of menuki by a Kyo-Kanagushi maker from the Edo period. Crafted from shakudo with a deep black finish, they feature a golden lion design. The motif includes a hijosashi (ruler for grooves), a tool often depicted in menuki with family crests, though none are explicitly mentioned here. These menuki come with an NBTHK Hozon Tosogu certificate.
Certificate reading — 無銘(京金具師)
mumei · Kyo-Kanagushi · Edo



Kyo-kanagushi School
Edo
Yamashiro
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Kinko · Yamashiro
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 must be shipped within 3 days of delivery. Excludes modified/damaged items or past the deadline. Return shipping paid by customer. Overseas orders cannot be returned/refunded.