NihontoWatchNihontoWatch\A red copper tsuba of clouds or wather with shakudo coins partly visible.. Wonderful color and condition. 7.25 cm x 6.777 x 4.5 mmNBTHK kanteiisho to Shonai. This is a different school than Shonai Shoami of mid Edo times. This group flourished in the late Edo period. Shonai is famous as the home of "Nara San Saku" Yasuchika. Shonai tsuba-ko descended from two of Yasuchika's students. Namely, Watanabe Arichika and Ando Yoshitoki. The style is close to that of Yasuchika which can be seen in this example. The book "Shonai Kinko Meisaku Shu" by Dr. Kanzan Sato is devoted to the study of this school. Sekibun was also from Shoani as was Ikkin (one of Goto Ichijo's top student's).
Certificate reading — 無銘（庄内金工）
NihontoWatchOffered by Nihonto US
Hozon
Certifies a genuine fitting worth preserving: a correct signature, or, if unsigned, an identifiable era and school, with recognized artistic and craft value.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteThree day, no penalty, inspection on every item. Returns must be in the same condition as shipped. Actual costs will be charged on returned items. No restocking fee. If you did not like the item is a good enough reason for return.
$1,250