KZ-112 Goto Teijo Kozuka

SOLD

1600’s

Unsigned –certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon to Teijo

9.65 length x 1.46 panel width x .50 cm thickness

Design of Shishi and Vajra

Extremely elegant and tasteful kozuka by the 9th mainline Goto master, Teijo. Nice shakudo nanako work in gold sleeve with Teijo’s trademark “catscratch” back. Most works that are seen are of average quality, but pieces such as this that are modeled after the old Goto masters were only ordered or kept by the higher classes. One can see from the design that it has the same feeling of a Goto Yujo or Sojo. This piece truly shows the high skill of Teijo and why he was the 9th master of the mainline family. Comes with custom kiri wood box and is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.

 

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KZ-115 Yonemitsu Taihei Bashin (Umabari)

$4900

1900’s

Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa – NBTHK Hozon

12.5 cm

Iron Gold Inlay Bashin by Living National Treasure Yonemitsu Taihei

Rare signed Bashin (Umabari) by the ONLY tosogu maker to be given the title of Ningen Kokuho (Living National Treasure). Yonemitsu Taihei Mitsumasa was an excellent tsuba maker and kinko-shi. His works rival that of any top level Higo artisan from the Edo period and have been often mistaken for those of earlier masters. He was trained in the traditional Higo style by his uncle, and received the title of Living National Treasure in 1965. Many of his works are unsigned as that was the style of the Higo School, but in his later years he started to carve his name on his pieces. Not only is this piece signed, it has the original box, also signed by Taihei. A very rare package by a true master.

This piece is also published in a well known book by the famous fittings teacher Torigoye.

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KZ-116 Shunga Kozuka

HOLD

1700-1800’s

 

Signed with Kao only

9.7cm x 1.5cm x 5.2mm

Shibuichi Kozuka of Shunga Eotic Art

Shunga kozuka made of silver with shakudo, copper and gold. The fine carving is done in very good kiri bori style, especially upon examination of the both the facial and other detailed features. In most cases, this type of kozuka was made by the Otsuki School (see menuki section for another example of Otsuki work). They were very well known for making fittings like this in silver, and then either leaving the pieces unsigned, or like in this case signed by Kao only.
Shunga is a term for Japanese erotic art, meaning literally “spring, which is common euphemism for sex. It was thought by samurai that the carrying of shunga was a special lucky charm to ward against death and its popularity was such that both Japanese women and men were avid collectors of Shunga works of art and carried very little of stigma that it does today. With some research, we could probably figure out which maker made this interesting piece. The pictures tell the rest on a fun piece!

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KZ-104 Hamano Naoyuki Kozuka –Published NBTHK #533

SOLD

Mid/Late Edo

Oite Shinshu Aisomegawa Hen Chou Kore Hamano Naoyuki–NBTHK Hozon

9.75 cm long 1.45 cm wide

Shibuichi kozuka by Hamano Naoyuki of famous Three Kingdoms war general Chohi defending Chohan bridge. In this particular scene, Chohi sends off his army to outflank the advancing Tsao Tsao forces while he singlehandly defends the Undefended City from the attacking forces. In the ensuing battle. Chohi’s army links up with Kwanyu and Gentoku to defeat Tsao-Tsao from behind.  Published in #533 NBTHK Journal, they write that this kozuka is important because it displays all of the techniques that Naoyuki was most famous for including exemplary shibuichi migaki, high takabori relief, and excellent use of gold and silver iroe.  Additionally the particular signature of this piece is very important.

Comes with custom kiri box, copy of NBTHK picture and caption, and NBTHK Hozon paper.

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KZ-103 Haruaki Hogen Kozuka

SOLD

Late Edo

Bunsei 11 Tsuchinoe-ne Haruaki Hogen –NBTHK Kicho

9.72 cm long 1.53 cm wide

Deep dark shakudo work by master Haruaki of Mt Fuji. This rare and beautiful piece epitomizes Haruaki containing his skillful use of mixed metals to the excellent carving work he is known for. Genuine Haruaki pieces are very rare as there are many fakes.  Kozuka in shakudo with ishimeiji and takabori zogan and is a wonderful depiction of Mt. Fuji. This is excellent collector grade kozuka. Haruaki is listed as a Jokko rated smith in the kinko meikan. A student of Yanagawa Naoharu, he later on went to establish his own school which had many students and was famous for the slightly whimsical composition and design which was very much a spirit of the era he worked in.

NBTHK Kicho paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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C-105 Ichiryuken Motochika Kozuka

HOLD

Late Edo - 1800

Signed Ichiryuken Motochika - NBTHK Hozon

 

NBTHK Hozon certified shakudo nanako kozuka design of Koma Hiki Saru (Monkey and Horse) signed Ichiruken Motochika. Motochika was a Mito smith from the Utsumi line. The playful design of this kozuka, Koma Hiki Saru, was popularized by Yasuchika. The original story came from China and was a myth that related monkeys protecting and acting as the guardians of horses. The theme first took shape with carvings of monkeys in horse stables and gradually spread to sword fittings. Motochika's displays the skill of machibori here with work that is of course different from the Goto family yet joyful, and equally skilled. The nanako work around the kozuka is especially well done and in great condition.

NBTHK Hozon paper. Comes with custom kiri box.

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