Koshirae for small wakizashi or large tanto
Signature/mei: mumei
Materials:
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
Price: ¥ 450.000
The tsuba of this koshirae comes with a NBTHK hozon paper which attributes the tsuba to Aizu Shoami.
Koshirae for a Wakizashi
Signature/mei:
Materials:
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
Price: ¥ 350.000
Tsuba: Jingo – Rain Dragons
Signature/mei: Jingo Yatsuhiro
Material: iron, silver nunome zogan
Era/jidai: late Edo
Shape: round
Dimensions: 78.0mm x 73.2mm x 4.1mm
NBTHK: Hozon (Jingo Yatsuhiro)
Tsuba: Jingo – Sakuragawa
Signature/mei: 3. Gen. Jingo
Material: iron
Era/jidai: late Edo
Shape: round
Dimensions: 73.8mm x 70.8mm x 5.0mm
NBTHK: Hozon Tokubetsu Hozon (3. Generation Jingo)
Tsuba: Jingo – Daikon
Signature/mei: mumei
Material: iron, brass
Era/jidai: late Edo
Shape: mokko
Dimensions: 82.0mm x 77.0mm x 4.2mm
NBTHK: Hozon (Mumei Godai Jingo)
Tsuba: Jingo – Horsetail
Signature/mei: Jingo Yatsuhiro
Material: iron, brass
Era/jidai: late Edo
Shape: mokko
Dimensions: 84 mm x 78 mm x 4.8mm
NBTHK: Tokubetsu Hozon
Collector box for tsuba
Storage for 30 tsuba
5 compartments
Mother of pearl inlays
Price: on request
Koshirae for a Wakizashi
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Materials:
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
Price: ¥ 650.000
V
ery rare wakizashi koshirae, were the tsuka is wrapped in a black lacquered copper wire, which has been polished again down to the copper core. This is something you come across not often. Along with the other copper fittings and the dark green saya, this koshirae has a tranquil flavor that is believed to have been worn by an older samurai.
The reserved taste with the hut (on the tsuba as well as the complete kashira) and the chickens, which are a symbol of territorial defense, also indicate that the former owner carefully arranged this koshirae to his personal mindset.
Further this koshirae is complete and no fittings are missing. The conditions is superp so only a minimal sign of ware is shown on the lower saya.
Kokusai Tosogu Kai
Full set: 1500 Euro
Single book: 100 Euro
Complete set of all books published by the Kokusai Tosogu Kai (KTK Club) in mint condition. Some of the boxes/sleeves containing the books have small dents.
These publications feature brilliant photographs of Tsuba and Kodogu with descriptions in both English and Japanese.
The full set includes (if available):
2005 (sold)
2006 (sold)
2007 (sold)
2008
2009
2010 (sold)
2011
2012 (sold)
2013 (sold)
2014 (sold)
2015 (sold)
2016 (sold)
2017 (sold)
2018 (sold)
2019 (sold)
2020 (sold)
2021 (sold)
2022 (sold)
Menuki: Centipede
Signature/mei: Kaneko Yoshiyasu & Kao
Material: shakudo, copper, gold
Era/jidai: Edo period
Dimensions: (left) 48.0mm x 14.3mm x 5.8mm
Dimensions (right): 49.5mm x 14.2mm x 5.9mm
Papers: NBTHK Hozon (11th May 2016)
Kiri box
Price: on request
Tsuba: Nanban (Daisho)
Signature/mei: mumei
Material: iron, silver, traces of gold
Era/jidai: Edo
Form: slightly mokko
Dimensions dai: 8.2 cm x 7,6 cm x 0.55 cm (rim)
Dimensions sho: 7.6 cm x 7.1 cm x 0.47 cm (rim)
Price: 900 Euro
Nanban tsuba as daisho:
The sho still has some visible traces of gold, while the dai seems to have been covered with a silvery metal or lacquer in the past.
The silver fukurin was added later, but it matches the daisho very well and is carefully crafted. All four hitsu ana are also set in silver.
We sold this item before but we were able to buy it back from an auction house as it’s a nice example of nanban tsuba and also a daisho which makes it more infrequent.
Daisho Koshirae: Shishi and Peonies
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Materials:
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions dai:
Dimensions sho:
Price: ¥ 980.000
Daisho Koshirae with the famous theme of shishi and peonies in mint condition without any cracks or dents.
Koshirae for a Wakizashi
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Materials:
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
Price: ¥ 450.000
The tsuba gives us a hint of the Mino tradition while the kozuka is by Goto and signed Hidenobu. What makes this koshirae special is the tsuka which is made of wood.
The condition is very nice, only some minor traces of wear on the lower saya.
Daisho Koshirae: Equestrian motive
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Materials:
Era/jidai: fittings late Edo
Dimensions dai:
Dimensions sho:
Price: on request
A very elegant Daisho Koshirae with an equestrian theme of horses and horseback riding.
The fuchi kashira and menuki represent horses and are made of shakudo and gold.
The tsuba of the Dai and the Sho are very similar. Both show two saddles decorated with gold and some other horse-related items such as riding crops. The fukurin is made of an alloy containing silver, which gives the koshirae a counterpoint.
Also made of shakudo and gold, the kogai and kozuka continue the theme of the tsuba by also showing a saddle each.
The saya is lacquered with black stripes alternating with stripes of fine mother of pearl particles (aogai) that glow like a soft night sky with colors. Due to the perfect condition I think it was made after the taisho period.
The tsuka has recently been renewed and is colour-coordinated with some of the aogai and the winding is of the finest quality. The menuki seem to float above the tsuka and the end is carefully braided above the kashira which looks absolutely gorgeous.
The Art of the Japanese Sword – The craft of swordmaking and its appreciation – by Leon and Hiroko Kapp / Yoshindo Yoshihara
256 pages, hardcover, mint condition like new
Price: 60 Euro
Tosogu- by Hirata Michiko / Sannenzaka Museum
Published by Hirata Michiko in 2001, this book features high quality Tosogu from the museum in high quality color photographs. All descriptions are in Japanese, lucky titles are in English.
~80 pages, hardcover, very good condition
Price: 45 Euro
Tsuba – Beauty of Design and Craftsmenship by Hayashi Eiroku
Published in 2012, this book shows on 150 pages in crisp black and white pictures the beauty of tsuba. All descriptions in Japanese.
150 pages, softcover, mint condition like new
Price: 45 Euro
100 Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton by Christies
Released in 1992 when the famous collection of Walter A. Compton was auctioned off by Christies. The 100 Masterworks are described in English and shown in high-quality color images for Tosogu and black and white images for Blades.
321 pages, hardcover, clothbound, dustcover, slipcase, good condition
Price: 100 Euro
The Hartman Collection of Japanese Matalwork by Christies
This book is the catalog for the Tosogu “Hartman Collection” auction that took place in 1976. All 676 lots are described in English and Japanese. Most soft metal items have a color photo, iron tsuba are shown in black and white. What makes this catalog so interesting is a booklet with price estimates. Many great works of art have also emerged from this collection.
163 pages, hardcover, clothbound, good condition for a 46 year old book
Price: 180 Euro
Lethal Elegance – The Art of Japanese Sword Fittings by Joe Earle
This English language book was published in 2004 by Joe Earle (Boston Museum of Fine Arts). It shows 150 high-quality sword fittings with a focus on their style and techniques. Visual effects of different alloys as well as evolution and symbolism are also discussed and explained.
This book is the hardcover version!
256 pages, hardcover (!!), very good condition
Price: 70 Euro
Nihon no Bi – The Japanese Sword by Gakken
A modern book that gives a very good introduction to “The Japanese Sword” with full size fold out photos of blades, tosogu, tsuba and more.
Just read the review by Markus Sesko!
252 pages, softcover, slipcase, very good condition
Price: 120 Euro
Tanto no Bi – The Beauty of Tanto
This beautiful cloth-bound book, published by the Sano Museum in 2009 and hard to find, shows more than 50 tanto in detailed photographs and sometimes with oshigata. Since all descriptions are in Japanese, the book contains an index in English. All full translations – made by Markus Sesko – are also included.
~160 pages, clothbound, condition like new, discoloration on the slipcase
Price: 220 Euro including full translation to German
Tosogu no Kansho I
The first book was published by Shoyukai in 1982 and contains nearly 180 important Tosogu items from the Muromachi to Meiji periods in good color pictures. All descriptions are in Japanese and English.
Vol.1 ~80 pages, clothbound, good condition, cover has discoloration due to sunlight
Price: 100 Euro
Tosogu no Kansho I+II
The first book was published by Shoyukai in 1982 and contains nearly 180 important Tosogu items from the Muromachi to Meiji periods in good color pictures. All descriptions are in Japanese and English.
The second volume was released in 2018 and contains more than 270 high-quality Kodogu artworks. The quality of the photos is very high and all descriptions are again in Japanese and English.
Vol.1 ~80 pages, clothbound, good condition, cover has discoloration due to sunlight
Vol.2 ~95 pages, clothbound, perfect condition, like new, very rare
Price: 300 Euro
Only sold as a set
Iron Tsuba – The Works of the Exhibition “Kurogane no Hana”
This book, published by NBTHK in 2014, was created for the “Kurogane no Hana” exhibition held at NBTHK’s museum. All descriptions are in Japanese and English. This exhibition featured very important iron tsuba.
~150 pages, very good condition
Price: 120 Euro
Japanische Schwertzierraten – Sammlung G. Oeder
This book is a copy of the book on the famous Oeder collection. The condition is good.
If you manage to find the original book through the Oeder Collection, you will find it very expensive because it is very rare. But that is not necessary as this book provides equally good information about one of the famous Tosogu collections.
~220 pages, clothbound
Price: 200 Euro
Studiensammlung japanischer Schwertzierrate by Robert E. Haynes
Book in good condition, all pages are fine, some slight discoloration due to age on the cover
Language: German
Published in 2010 by Robert E. Haynes, this book contains photos and descriptions of around 180 tsuba, representing the pinnacle of Robert Haynes’ collection. All photos are in color and in original size. A section with signatures completes this book.
~335 pages
Price: 150 Euro
Selected fine Japanese Swords from European NBTHK Collections
Published in 2002 by the NBTHK European Branch, this books shows and describes in detail 45 swords, 6 koshirae as well as tosogu. It features an article about Yagyu tsuba as well.
Descriptions are in German and English.
The book is in used condition, all pages are fine, some discoloration due to age
~330 pages
Price: 160 Euro
Kogai: Octopus fighting Monkey
Signature/mei: Takase Eiju
Material: shibuichi, shakudo, silver, copper, gold
Era/jidai: late Edo period
Dimension: 21.2 cm x 1.24 cm
Papers: (at shinsa)
Price: on request
A shibuichi kogai made by the famous mito artist Takase Eiju.
An octopus and two monkeys are put on the nanoko base. The octopus is made of copper while the monkeys are made of shakudo and what appears to be silver. The monkeys faces are accented with copper and their eyes are made of gold, like the eyes of the octopus. All the carvings are very delicate, Takase Eiju shows us how much detail can be represented in a small space. Since this kogai has a beautiful tapering, the appearance is rather elegant. As I’m not sure about the design, I believe this kogai was worn by an older samurai who didn’t need a “flashy” kogai but something to reflect something personal to him. Maybe the NBTHK will tell us more about the name of the design as the kogai is on the way to shinsa.
Late Edo and Meiji Period Sword Guards and Fittings
Collection of Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum
Bakumatsu Meiji no Tsuba: Toso Kinko
Book in good condition, slight usage on the envelope
Published in 2008 by Masayuki Murata and Michiko Hirota.
The items shown are from the collection of the Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum.
All descriptions are in English and Japanese and give a lot of information. The book is also a good reference for comparing and validating signatures.
As it is out of print, this book is getting harder to find.
160 pages
Price: 250 Euro
Volume 1,2 and 3
Volume 1: 562 pages
Volume 2: 685 pages
Price: SOLD
Note: Volume 3 is included but not published yet
This is the English translation of the “Tosogu Classroom” series by Fukushi Shigeo.
Markus Sesko has translated the series and has already published parts of the series in volumes 1 and 2. The third book isn’t ready yet, but it is included in this set and will be mailed to you once it’s ready.
This is probably the best and most detailed introduction to the different styles and schools of Tosogu ever written and for the first time available in English.
Hayshi and Kamiyoshi by Ito Mitsuru
Pages: ~470 pages
Condition: like new
The biggest of the three Higo books published by Ito Mitsuru.
English translation included!
Full set also available!
Price: sold
Written by Ito Mitsuru, the book contains the pinnacle of current knowlege about Hayashi and Kamiyoshi. Markus Sesko’s translations make this knowledge accessible to collectors and connoisseurs outside of Japan.
The book ist cloth bound and the quality of the photos/prints is very high. All items are displayed on the front and back with a brief description in both Japanese and English.
The book is in perfect condition, as if no one has ever opened and studied it.
The book was pubslished in 2007/2008, the editon is very limited, I think 500 pieces.
If you are interested in Higo or want to research something about Higo, this book is THE reference book and a “must have”.
Meihin Katanaezu Shusei
by Tanobe Michihiro (former head researcher NBTHK)
Book in mint condition, like new
210 pages
XXL-Size: (51cm x 36,5cm x 3cm)
Including cloth slipcase
Price: sold
Published in 1999 by Mr. Tanobe, the former head researcher of the NBTHK. As only 600 pieces where made it is very rare.
This book contains photos and oshigata (drawn by Mr. Tabobe) of some of the finest blades forged in Japan.
All descriptions are in Japanese, but an index in English is included.
Menpo (ressei)
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Metrial: iron
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions (cm): (w) 14.5, (h) 13.5, (d) 11.6
Price: ¥ 500.000
A fine late Edo period ressei-type menpo. The ears and face are one plate, the nose and the lower part of the chin are separate. Attached is a three-layer iron and lacquer yodarekake with blue sugake odoshi. The iron has a beautiful brown patina and the face looks slim and noble.
Koshirae: Dragons in clouds
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Metrial: shakudo nanako, gold iroe
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
Price: ¥ 700.000
Koshirae with the design of dragons in the clouds.
On the omote and ura side of the shakudo tsuba we see mostly nanako and the two hitsu-ana, as the clouds and two dragons are carved in the outer edge and around the rim. The dragons are coloured in gold which gives them a nice contrast against the dark clouds. The male and female dragon are carved symmetrical so that their heads or faces meet at the top and the tails at the bottom of the tsuba.
Menuki and kashira are made of shakuko and also depict dragons. The eyes of the dragons are coloured in gold.
Fuchi and kojiri are made out of horn, the kurigata is colored black.
The kogai and kozuka are a matching set also made out of shakudo but coloured in gold completely. Both have a shakudo nanako base plate on which a curled roundish dragon is placed: The dragons are also colored in gold what makes them stand out on the shakudo nanako. A nice little detail; on the kogai a male dragon is shown and on the kozuka a female dragon.
The blade of the kozuka is signed but due to some rust it is difficult to read. The other side is rust free and itame hada is visible with a suguha based hamon.
The saya has a black base colour which is mostly lacquered with little particles of brown, red and gold which form large round spots. The condition is perfect without any dents or cracks.
The tsukamaki is newly made and together with the sageo of matching colours, a light ochre to match the fine red-brown golden colours of the saya.
A real treat for someone who is locking for a koshirae with the most famous design of dragons in a perfect mint condition.
Tsuba: by Tsuneshige
Signature/mei: Tsuneshige
Material: brass
Dimension:
Price: 600 Euro
A wonderful tsuba made by Tsuneshige.
Tsuba: Poet Li
Signature/mei: […]
Material: copper with kiriba and katakiriba
Dimension:
Price: 600 Euro
A wonderful tsuba, with very fine and detailed carvings in kiriba and katakiriba on a copper plate. Gold inlays, one hitsuana.
Tsuba: Seven sages of the bamboo grove
Signature/mei: […]
Material: shibuichi with kiriba and katakiriba
Dimension:
Price: 450 Euro
Of the seven sages only four are shown on this tsuba in a very fine and detailed katakiriba.
Tsuba: Autum geese and grass
Signature/mei: unsigend
Material: brass
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimension:
No papers (guarantee hozon)
Price: 980 Euro
Nice tsuba with a very nice surface. […]
Tsuba: Awabi and sazae
Signature/mei: Echizen ju Kinai saku
Material: iron/ji-sukashi
Era/jidai: late Edo (18./19. century)
Dimensions: 8.1 cm x 0.44 cm
No papers (guarantee hozon)
Price: 800 Euro
On this round iron ji sukashi tsuba with two hitsuana we see in radial order a mix of turban snails (sazae), hora and awabi. Everything we can see on the omote side is exactly matched on the ura side. This is a very naturalistic depiction as it is not a simple copy of the omote. The surface has a beautiful patina as it is very soft and dark.
The tsuba bears the signature “Echizen ju Kinai saku” as it was made by the famous Echizen Kinai school of tsuba artists. This wonderful carved tsuba is a very nice example of this school and I’m pretty sure it will get a hozon paper easily.
Tsuba: Chrysanthemum
Signature/mei: Echizen ju Kinai saku
Material: iron/ji-sukashi, gold iore
Era/jidai: late Edo (18./19. century)
Dimensions: 8.1 cm x 0.51 cm
No papers (guarantee hozon)
Price: 900 Euro
On this round iron ji sukashi tsuba with two hitsuana we see chrysanthemum flowers and leaves. Some leaves are decorated with gold iore. Everything we can see on the omote side is exactly matched on the ura side. This is a very naturalistic depiction as it is not a simple copy of the omote.
The tsuba bears the signature “Echizen ju Kinai saku” as it was made by the famous Echizen Kinai school of tsuba artists. This wonderful carved tsuba is a very nice example of this school and I’m pretty sure it will get a hozon paper easily.
Tsuba: Aoi leaves
Signature/mei: Kinai
Material: iron/ji-sukashi
Era/jidai: late Edo (18./19. century)
Dimensions: 8.1 cm x 0.51 cm
No papers (guarantee hozon)
Price: 750 Euro
On this round iron ji sukashi tsuba we see four opened and two rolled up aoi leaves. The open leaves have some holes as sukashi openings and some leaf veins decorated in kiriba. Two hitsuana. The tsuba is signed “Kinai” and is made by the famous Echizen Kinai school of tsuba artists.
Tsuba: Gama Sennin (dai) / Fukurokuju (sho)
Signature/mei: mumei
Material: iron with high relief, inlays in copper and gold
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions (dai): 11.1 cm x 11.8 cm x 0.58 cm
Dimensions (sho): 9.9 cm x 10.6 cm x 0.45 cm
Form: mokko
Price: 980 Euro
Both tsuba have a very well and strongly forged iron. Gama Sennin is pictured on the dai together with his frog, of course. His face, hands and feet are inlaid with copper while his clothes are accentuated in copper and gold. A nice waterfall on the ura side completes the scene.
On the sho Fukurokuju is carved out of the iron plate. His teeth are inlayed in gold. His famous scroll is held by another person matching the omote side of the dai.
Tsuba: Rabbit jumping waves
Signature/mei: mumei
Material: shibuichi, relief with gold inlays
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimension: 5.00 cm x 5.9 cm x 0.46 cm
Shape: Tate Mokko
No papers (guarantee Hozon)
Price: 650 Euro
A tsuba with the famous design of a rabbit jumping through waves. The spray of the sea and the eye of the rabbit is inlaid and accentuated with gold. The rabbit and the waves look very lively, as the rabbit twists his body to evade a large breaking wave. A wonderful small tate mokko shaped shibuichi tsuba for a tanto with one hitsuana.
Tsuba: Hotei and bag
Signature/mei: unsigned
Material: iron, gold iroe, copper iroe
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimension: 8.5 cm x 7.8 cm x 0.54 cm
Price: 190 Euro
Tsuba: Hotei with bag
Signature/mei: unsigned
Material: iron, gold iroe
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimension: 8.3 cm x 7.8 cm x 0.49 cm
Price: 150 Euro
Tsuba: Kagezakuramon – Modern
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei (Lorenzo Amati)
Material: Iron, ji-sukashi, mokko gata
Era/jidai: Modern ca. 2014
Dimension: 7.7 cm x 7.76 cm x 0.52
Custom kiri box with artist seal,
inner fabrik in blue-green “rokusho” (緑青)
Price: 1200 Euro
Lorenzo Amati, a pupil of Ford Hallam, made this modern interpretation of a mokko shaped ji–sukashi tsuba with sakura design. Two hitsu ana, copper sekigane in a custom handmade box with very nice fabric..
Website of artist/smith: Lorenzo Amati -Tumblr
Facebook of artist/smith: Lorenzo Amati Facebook
Here are some impressions of the tsuba:
(Copyright by Lorenzo Amati)
