Higo, Jingo and Suruga Tsuba for sale

[HannesT]

Hello everyone, I'm looking to part ways with some very nice pieces from my Tsuba collection. While some have already found new homes, I'd like to share a few more interesting pieces with you. So, treat yourselves, perhaps with an early season gift.

 

More images are available upon request. If you have any questions or would like to make offers, please feel free to PM me. A donation to the forum will be made upon sale.

Thank you for your interest.

 

Hannes

 

 

 

1. Higo, Den Kamiyoshi, Kagecho Sukashi (Butterflies), Late Edo Period, 75 x 80 x 3 mm, EUR 680 plus shipping

 

The Tsuba is a beautiful piece with a monumental expression in the tradition of Fukanobu Kamiyoshi (1786 – 1851). The design is an adaptation of the Ko Shoami Tsuba that was mounted on the famous Kazen Koshirae.

As is common with this design, the seppadai is enlarged and bigger than the tsuka diameter, showcasing the eyes of the butterflies when mounted. The placement of the Tagane is also true to form, although in my opinion, not as precisely positioned as I would expect from Fukanobu's work. Therefore, it is priced as student (Den) work. A similar Design can be found in Works of Hayashi & Kamiyoshi, Nr. 229 on page 315.

 

Polished iron, dark patina, and in great condition! The Tsuba comes with a box.

 

     

 

 

 

2. Higo, Den Kamiyoshi, Distand Pine-Tree, Late Edo Period, 80 x 80 x 4.5 mm, EUR 480 plus shipping

 

The design is an abstract interpretation of a distant Pine-Tree, where the rim is artistically included as a part of the design. It is a beautiful, organic, irregular shape. This design is also well known throughout the Hayashi Schools. A similar Design can be found in the Higo Kinko Taikan, Nr. 356 on page 357.

 

Very good, dense, polished iron, perfect black patina with a great wet look. Flawless condition! Tsuba without a box.

 

    

   

 

 

3. Higo, Nishigaki, Sakura Blossom, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, 69 x 73 x 4-3 mm, EUR 1.450 plus shipping

 

An exquisite Sukashi Tsuba - in my opinion a Nishigaki Kanshiro or Kampei Tsuba. This remarkable work showcases a truly elegant motif of falling Sakura blossom.

 

It is a very elegant and outstanding piece, that is hard to part with. Layer construction is visible in the sukashi. It has a nice black/brown/violet patina. The overall condition is great. The Tsuba comes with a quality box and NBTHK Hozon papers (Higo). A comparable work can be found in Works of Kanshiro Nishigaki, Nr. 133 on page 156.

 

    

 

 

 

6. Inshu No Ju Suruga, Ornamental Plants, Edo Period, 75 x 78 x 3.6 mm, EUR 580 plus shipping

 

It is a typical work of the Suruga School. From 1632 onwards, the Suruga masters signed as Inshu no ju Suruga as seen on this example. Also, the distinct sekigane are typical. It features ume-gane in gold, usually made with gilded copper; the deep engraving suggests the use of a heavy gold sheet or solid gold (but you will never know without removing them, which would be a shame).

 

The condition is great, it features a dark, black patina; the nunome zogan is fully intact and enriches the design as intended centuries ago. The Tsuba comes with a box. Very similar examples can be found in the Ashmolean Museum (http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/).

 

     

 

 

 

7. Higo, Jingo, Rain Dragon, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, EUR 1.100 plus shipping

 

This work is a representation of the later Jingo schools. It is adorned with a finely carved dragon in striking, fully intact silver and gold nunome. On the reverse side, the Buddhist motif vajra is featured, also highly detailed in silver inlay.

 

This piece showcases the artistry in its finely formed iron plate in the elegant mokko gata shape, displaying a chocolate brown patina with fully intact inlays. It is a wonderful work!

I bought this some years back from Fred Weissberg (https://nihonto.com/).

 

The Tsuba comes with a box and NBTHK Hozon papers (Kodai Higo).

 

    

 

 

 

8. Higo, Jingo, Futatsu Biki or Hikiryo Mon (Two Lines), Edo Period, 72 x 76 x 4.5-2 mm, EUR 340 plus shipping

 

Featuring a very elegant design of Futatsu Biki or Hikiryo Mon (Two Lines), a design native to many Higo schools. This particular example belongs to the late Jingo school.

 

The Tsuba shows an exquisite dark, black patina, with remnants of silver inlay still visible in some spots. Tsuba without a box. A comparable Tsuba can be found in Works of Hirata & Shimizu, Nr. 55 and 88 on page 202 and 233.

 

    

 

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

Hannes,

the photos cannot be opened (404: NOT FOUND). Please upload them here on the site.

[HannesT]

Thanks, now it should be ok 

[lonely panet]

Wow, really nice selection of higo tsuba. 

[Bugyotsuji]

There is a guy here who collects Bizen Suruga, as opposed to Inshu Suruga. It's something to do with when the retainers, households and Ikeda lords of Tottori and Okayama were all switched over in early Edo.

[Kanenaga]

Availability? Prices?

[1kinko]

Prices are spelled out in bold type in the individual titles.

[HannesT]

 

 

Updated Prices!

 

1. Higo, Den Kamiyoshi, Kagecho Sukashi (Butterflies), Late Edo Period, 75 x 80 x 3 mm,  EUR 560

 

2. Higo, Den Kamiyoshi, Distand Pine-Tree, Late Edo Period, 80 x 80 x 4.5 mm, EUR 420

 

3. Higo, Nishigaki, Sakura Blossom, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, 69 x 73 x 4-3 mm, EUR 1.250

 

4. Sold

5. Sold

 

6. Inshu No Ju Suruga, Ornamental Plants, Edo Period, 75 x 78 x 3.6 mm, EUR 520

 

7. Higo, Jingo, Rain Dragon, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, EUR 980

 

8. Higo, Jingo, Futatsu Biki or Hikiryo Mon (Two Lines), Edo Period, 72 x 76 x 4.5-2 mm. not available/hold

 

9. Sold 

 

Shipping within the EU included. Other countries please ask.

 

 

[Ed]

Just a note: Number 6 is listed as ornamental plants. The plants depicted are "Ran" or grass orchids.

[Bugyotsuji]

Some time back I was surprised to discover that orchids were highly prized among the Japanese aristocracy from way back in Heian/Nara times.

[HannesT]

Thanks for the comments, regarding the suruga orchid Ran Tsuba, this is very appreciated.

 

1. Butterflies is on hold.

 

Thanks!

[HannesT]

Thanks again to everyone writing questions via PM or commenting on my posts.

 

Quick update on availability.

 

1. Higo Butterflies is on hold

2. Higo Pine Tree is sold

8. Jingo Hikiryo Mon is available again

 

Thanks!

[HannesT]

Year-End-Weekend-Price for the remaining pieces.

 

3. Higo, Nishigaki, Sakura Blossom, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, 69 x 73 x 4-3 mm, EUR 1.050

 

6. Inshu No Ju Suruga, Ran Orcid, Edo Period, 75 x 78 x 3.6 mm, EUR 480

 

7. Higo, Jingo, Rain Dragon, Edo Period, NBTHK Hozon, EUR 890

 

8. Higo, Jingo, Futatsu Biki or Hikiryo Mon (Two Lines), Edo Period, 72 x 76 x 4.5-2 mm, EUR 320

 

Shipping within the EU included. Other countries please ask.

 

 

[HannesT]

Sales update:

 

1. Butterflies is sold

8. Hikiryo Mon is sold on ebay

 

Thank you very much!

[Tsuruya]

PM send.