This is a tsuba, or sword guard, from the Higo school. It is unsigned (mumei) and dates to the Edo period. The iron plate features an openwork engraving of pines in the distance, with added color.

Higo Kinko School
Edo
Higo
Unsigned
Higo · Higo
130 pieces on the market now
The Higo kinkō (肥後金工) tradition comprises the metalworkers who flourished in Higo province (modern Kumamoto) under the patronage of the Hosokawa daimyō house, from the Momoyama period into the late Edo period. Four families — Hayashi, Hirata, Nishigaki, and Shimizu — are regarded as representing the main line, and the first-generation masters of each were all retained by Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki), famed as a great commander and an accomplished master of the tea ceremony, and received his guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Misumi Masaharu三角正治 | — | 0 |
| Suwa Ikuhei諏訪幾平 | 1832-1903 | 0 |
| Miyamoto Musashi宮本武蔵 | 1584-1645 | 5 |
| Tsuge Yoshikatsu柘植吉勝 | — | 1 |
| Tani Denji谷伝次 | — | 1 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If you wish to return an item, please notify us within 3 days of receipt. After this period we cannot accept cancellations. Please ship the return to us within 5 business days. Cancellation is conditional on the item being kept in the same condition as at the time of sale, so please handle it with care.
This is a tsuba, or sword guard, from the Higo school. It is unsigned (mumei) and dates to the Edo period. The iron plate features an openwork engraving of pines in the distance, with added color.

Higo Kinko School
Edo
Higo
Unsigned
Higo · Higo
130 pieces on the market now
The Higo kinkō (肥後金工) tradition comprises the metalworkers who flourished in Higo province (modern Kumamoto) under the patronage of the Hosokawa daimyō house, from the Momoyama period into the late Edo period. Four families — Hayashi, Hirata, Nishigaki, and Shimizu — are regarded as representing the main line, and the first-generation masters of each were all retained by Hosokawa Sansai (Tadaoki), famed as a great commander and an accomplished master of the tea ceremony, and received his guidance. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Misumi Masaharu三角正治 | — | 0 |
| Suwa Ikuhei諏訪幾平 | 1832-1903 | 0 |
| Miyamoto Musashi宮本武蔵 | 1584-1645 | 5 |
| Tsuge Yoshikatsu柘植吉勝 | — | 1 |
| Tani Denji谷伝次 | — | 1 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If you wish to return an item, please notify us within 3 days of receipt. After this period we cannot accept cancellations. Please ship the return to us within 5 business days. Cancellation is conditional on the item being kept in the same condition as at the time of sale, so please handle it with care.