Kinko Shakudo Nanako Tsuba

I have had a few experts give this tsuba a cursory evaluation.  I have heard kantei pointing at Goto, Yoshioka, even Mito.  One thing is certain is that it is a very nice tsuba of exceptional quality.  This tsuba would be an ideal candidate for NBTHK Shinsa.

The Yoshioka School was one of the main schools that made items for high level Daimyo and retainer level Bushi. The Yoshioka family, like the Goto family, were also retainers to the shogunate and made many “kenjo” style pieces that could not be signed, in deference to the patronage of their lords. Needless to say, the Yoshioka were well thought of as a school and had many outstanding works. (Testsugendo) Many of these tsuba have commanded high prices at auction.

The best of the Yoshioka School were known to produce kodogu of very high quality, rivaling that of Goto School masters.  In fact, both schools were quite similar in attributes, probably because they worked for some of the same retainers as contemporaries.

Most kodogu collectors hold Goto works in the highest esteem.  Their works generally make up the “grail” pieces to serious tsuba collections.

This tsuba is composed of very high quality shakudo with excellent nanako work. The condition is excellent. Notice the fine nanako work, in particular how it wraps around the large ana.  Also notice the round aori gata shape. Together these are very interesting attributes.

This tsuba was found mounted on a very nice Hida no Kami Ujifusa Katana.  Hida no Kami Ujifusa is considered one of the “Owari San Saku”, three great smiths of the Owari Province, during the time of Odu Nobunaga.

Width: 7.3
Height: 6.9 cm
Thickness: 0.5 cm

Price: SOLD

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