This is a kozuka (small knife handle) featuring an Aoi (hollyhock) plant design, attributed to the Ko-Kinko school. It is unsigned (mumei) and dates to the Muromachi period. The piece is crafted from shakudo nanako ground with high relief carving, depicting the plant's leaves and delicate flowers in a realistic and three-dimensional manner, even including fine vein details and insect bite marks to enhance its natural appearance. It comes with a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate from the NBTHK.
NihontoWatchmumei · Ko-Kinko · Muromachi
Muromachi
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
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 kozuka (small knife handle) featuring an Aoi (hollyhock) plant design, attributed to the Ko-Kinko school. It is unsigned (mumei) and dates to the Muromachi period. The piece is crafted from shakudo nanako ground with high relief carving, depicting the plant's leaves and delicate flowers in a realistic and three-dimensional manner, even including fine vein details and insect bite marks to enhance its natural appearance. It comes with a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate from the NBTHK.
NihontoWatchmumei · Ko-Kinko · Muromachi
Muromachi
Unsigned
Tokuho (NBTHK)
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.
