NihontoWatchNihontoWatchAccording to the appraisal certificate, this Tsuba was made by Myochin Kino Sōji (明珍紀宗次) and is crafted from iron in a mokko-shaped (木瓜) form. The Myochin school, to which the maker of this Tsuba belonged, is a lineage with a very long history. It is said to have begun its activities in Japan as armor makers during the Heian period (794–1185), and from the Edo period (1603–1868) onward, the school also produced sword fittings, including tsuba. In particular, many iron tsuba by the Myochin school have survived to the present day. As mentioned above, this Tsuba is mokko-shaped, and the origin of this form is explained in two ways. One is that it resembles the shape of eggs in a nest. The other, as suggested by the characters used to write the name, is that it derives from the cross-section of a quince (Mokko) when cut into slices. This form was also widely used in the family crests of many samurai and was regarded as an auspicious design. In addition, the surface is decorated with beautiful linear patterns that can be interpreted as growth rings of a tree, which is another highlight of this piece. Authentication Paper They authenticated the Tsuba on September 25th in the 40th year of Showa (1965). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Kichou Kodougu, an old form of the certificate.
NihontoWatchOffered by Samurai Museum
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Tosho-Katchushi · Kyoto
21 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Munemasa宗政 | — | 0 |
| Yasutsugu保次 | — | 0 |
| Munesada宗定 | — | 0 |
| Munetsugu宗次 | — | 0 |
| Yoshitada義忠 | — | 0 |
This work carries older NBTHK “Kichō”-era papers, which the NBTHK no longer issues and largely disavows today. To confirm the attribution, submission to an official Japanese examination body (such as the NBTHK or NTHK) for modern certification could be considered.
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