This is a tsuba by Akagiken Motozane, a representative artist from Mito, known for his sharp carving. Motozane, born in Kanpo 1 (1741), was the son of Motoaki, who studied under Yokoya. He produced many excellent works throughout his long life, training numerous disciples. This tsuba, with its beautiful composition reminiscent of a tree laden with fruit, clearly reflects Motozane's high skill and sensibility. The quality iron has a deep black color, and the entire surface is finished with a fine ishime-ji texture, giving it a moist and rich feel. The beautiful lines of the sharp leaf tips protruding from the arcs of round fruits create a design that resembles a family crest.
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Edo
Mito Motozane/Genpu
Edo
Hitachi
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori · Hitachi · around 1670
2 pieces on the market now
Where Motozane/Genpu 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 · Hitachi
78 pieces on the market now
The Mito school of sword-fitting makers emerged as an officially sponsored tradition in the domains of the Tokugawa family's Mito branch, achieving particular prominence in the late Edo period. The school's lineage traces through Shinozaki Katsushige and his successors, who served as goyō horimonoshi (official engravers) to the domain. Unlike the privately patronized workshops of Edo and Kyoto, Mito metalworkers operated within a system of domain service, producing both presentation fittings for formal occasions and richly decorated works for commission. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Katsuhira勝平 | 1804-1886 | 13 |
| Shomin勝珉 | 1844-1915 | 11 |
| Teikan貞幹 | — | 5 |
| Katsutoshi勝寿 | — | 1 |
| Mototane元胤 | — | 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 siteIf, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
This is a tsuba by Akagiken Motozane, a representative artist from Mito, known for his sharp carving. Motozane, born in Kanpo 1 (1741), was the son of Motoaki, who studied under Yokoya. He produced many excellent works throughout his long life, training numerous disciples. This tsuba, with its beautiful composition reminiscent of a tree laden with fruit, clearly reflects Motozane's high skill and sensibility. The quality iron has a deep black color, and the entire surface is finished with a fine ishime-ji texture, giving it a moist and rich feel. The beautiful lines of the sharp leaf tips protruding from the arcs of round fruits create a design that resembles a family crest.
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Edo
Mito Motozane/Genpu
Edo
Hitachi
Signed
Tokuho (NBTHK)
Machibori · Hitachi · around 1670
2 pieces on the market now
Where Motozane/Genpu 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 · Hitachi
78 pieces on the market now
The Mito school of sword-fitting makers emerged as an officially sponsored tradition in the domains of the Tokugawa family's Mito branch, achieving particular prominence in the late Edo period. The school's lineage traces through Shinozaki Katsushige and his successors, who served as goyō horimonoshi (official engravers) to the domain. Unlike the privately patronized workshops of Edo and Kyoto, Mito metalworkers operated within a system of domain service, producing both presentation fittings for formal occasions and richly decorated works for commission. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Katsuhira勝平 | 1804-1886 | 13 |
| Shomin勝珉 | 1844-1915 | 11 |
| Teikan貞幹 | — | 5 |
| Katsutoshi勝寿 | — | 1 |
| Mototane元胤 | — | 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 siteIf, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
