This is an unsigned Owari tsuba from the Muromachi period, featuring a long-eared rabbit motif in sukashi (openwork). The iron plate has a strong blackish color with layered forging marks visible on the rim and inside the openwork, and small iron bones appearing around the rough hammer marks. The design, symmetrically arranged, is said to have been favored by samurai due to the rabbit's symbolism of fertility, danger detection with large ears, and swift, brave forward movement.
NihontoWatchmumei · Muromachi
Muromachi
Owari
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
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 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 an unsigned Owari tsuba from the Muromachi period, featuring a long-eared rabbit motif in sukashi (openwork). The iron plate has a strong blackish color with layered forging marks visible on the rim and inside the openwork, and small iron bones appearing around the rough hammer marks. The design, symmetrically arranged, is said to have been favored by samurai due to the rabbit's symbolism of fertility, danger detection with large ears, and swift, brave forward movement.
NihontoWatchmumei · Muromachi
Muromachi
Owari
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
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 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.