FT-146 Rare Signed Goto Mainline Tsuba

Tsuba from the mainline Goto School are very rare, signed examples even more so.

The Goto Masters that did the attributions knew all of the secret distinguishing marks as well as had access to the records that were passed down to each Goto master. As a result, they were very strict, even having their own masters left to do the appraisal of previous generations.

Goto Mitsutaka (Enjo) was the 13th master, and was known as one of the best for attributing previous masterworks. This tsuba, made of top grade shakudo, has a design of solid gold tigers made by Goto Renjo (10th master). Mitsutaka remounted the tigers on this tsuba (which was very common for top pieces in the Goto family). The tsuba is made by Mitsutaka whose skill is considered as good as Joshin and even the 1st master Yujo.

The front is done in all super fine shakudo nanako with even the edge of the gold rim done in nanako as well. It is a technique that only a true master could do, much less even attempt without damaging the rimwork. The back is a beautiful shakudo migaki ji (mirror smooth finish) with the design of bamboo carved in katakiribori. This technique was made popular by the Yokoya School, and no doubt Mitsutaka wanted to show that he could do this style as well as anyone.

An excellent tsuba that is a must for Goto collectors or someone that wants only 1 solid example for their collection. The signature reads “Mon Renjo” / Mitsutaka (Kao) “. This means that the main subject was made by Goto Renjo, and the tsuba and remounting was done by Mitsutaka. If the signature read “ Renjo Saku” / Mitsutaka (Kao), then this would mean that Goto Renjo made the whole item, and was judged by Mitsutaka to be the work of Renjo.

Edo

Mon Renjo / Mitsutaka (Kao)  NBTHK certified

7 cm x 6.6 cm x 4.7 mm

$13,500