This is a tsuba made by Ko-Katchushi during the Muromachi period. Ko-Katchushi tsuba are among the oldest types of tsuba, known for their rustic iron and elaborate openwork designs. This particular piece features a design of suhama (洲浜), often used in family crests.
Certificate reading — 無銘（古甲冑師）
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Muromachi
Ko-Katchushi School
Muromachi
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Tosho-Katchushi
36 pieces on the market now
The Ko-Katchūshi tradition emerged during the Nanbokuchō and Muromachi periods as armorers (katchūshi) began producing sword guards as an auxiliary craft alongside their primary occupation of armor fabrication. As the uchigatana evolved from a purely utilitarian weapon into an object of aesthetic appreciation, craftsmen who had honed their metalworking skills in forging helmet plates, the small scales (kozane) of armor, and face defenses (menpō) applied this expertise to tsuba production. Learn more →
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 siteCooling-off available within one week after arrival, Japan domestic only. Defective items may be returned; no refund if condition differs from sale or item was used.
This is a tsuba made by Ko-Katchushi during the Muromachi period. Ko-Katchushi tsuba are among the oldest types of tsuba, known for their rustic iron and elaborate openwork designs. This particular piece features a design of suhama (洲浜), often used in family crests.
Certificate reading — 無銘（古甲冑師）
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Muromachi
Ko-Katchushi School
Muromachi
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Tosho-Katchushi
36 pieces on the market now
The Ko-Katchūshi tradition emerged during the Nanbokuchō and Muromachi periods as armorers (katchūshi) began producing sword guards as an auxiliary craft alongside their primary occupation of armor fabrication. As the uchigatana evolved from a purely utilitarian weapon into an object of aesthetic appreciation, craftsmen who had honed their metalworking skills in forging helmet plates, the small scales (kozane) of armor, and face defenses (menpō) applied this expertise to tsuba production. Learn more →
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 siteCooling-off available within one week after arrival, Japan domestic only. Defective items may be returned; no refund if condition differs from sale or item was used.
