This is a tsuba (sword guard) from the Mito school, featuring a high-relief carving of Meng Zong, one of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, searching for bamboo shoots in winter. Made of iron with intricate gold, silver, and copper inlays on his attire, it showcases the advanced metalworking techniques of the late Edo period Mito kinko. The detailed carving of the figure's expression, flowing robes, and delicate bamboo leaves highlights the exceptional skill of the maker.
NihontoWatchmumei · Mito · Edo
Mito School
Edo
Hitachi
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Machibori · Hitachi
81 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 |
| Tomoyoshi友善 | 1716-c.1920 | 0 |
| Motozane/Genpu元孚 | 1670 | 1 |
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 accepted within 3 days of delivery for defective items or significant discrepancies; customer bears return shipping and bank fees.
This is a tsuba (sword guard) from the Mito school, featuring a high-relief carving of Meng Zong, one of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, searching for bamboo shoots in winter. Made of iron with intricate gold, silver, and copper inlays on his attire, it showcases the advanced metalworking techniques of the late Edo period Mito kinko. The detailed carving of the figure's expression, flowing robes, and delicate bamboo leaves highlights the exceptional skill of the maker.
NihontoWatchmumei · Mito · Edo
Mito School
Edo
Hitachi
Unsigned
Hozon (NBTHK)
Machibori · Hitachi
81 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 |
| Tomoyoshi友善 | 1716-c.1920 | 0 |
| Motozane/Genpu元孚 | 1670 | 1 |
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 accepted within 3 days of delivery for defective items or significant discrepancies; customer bears return shipping and bank fees.
![Tsuba - Hozon - by Mito School - Mito Bakegitsune-zu Tsuba [N.B.T.H.K] Hozon Tousougu](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitbhfhyptogxcjbjfzwx.supabase.co%2Fstorage%2Fv1%2Fobject%2Fpublic%2Flisting-images%2Fworld-seiyudo%2FL32716%2F00.jpg&w=2560&q=90)
