Manuel Coden

Here's a quick video in sunlight of the tsuba for you to better appreciate it https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xPGDzFvqnX69nEFrNMGgFwfyYPqa5tLJ/view?usp=drivesdk

Thank you, yes they have to be traditionally made. It took several weekends to make, I don't really count hours since it's an hobby and what matters is just the final result

Thank you all, I appreciate your support!

I got informed that the tsuba i submitted to the 2026 NBSK tsuba contest ranked Nyusen. It was my first time attending this competition so overall it's a positive result. Let me introduce my work: The omote depicts plum blossoms, traditional symbols of resilience and elegant beauty, as they are the first to emerge at winter’s end, often pushing through the lingering snow. On the ura, I have engraved the haiku: 見らわても 見らわなくとも 花は咲く Mirawetemo / Mirawanakutomo / Hana wa saku (Whether seen or unseen, the flowers bloom) This serves as a gentle reminder to the bearer: one should act with integrity not for the sake of recognition, but because it is one’s nature—just as a flower blooms to fulfill its purpose, regardless of an audience. The intentionally naive, almost childlike rendering of the blossoms and calligraphy creates a deliberate juxtaposition against the raw strength of the iron and the tsuba's martial function.

Set of fuchi-kashira in shibuichi with katakiri-bori engravins of horses, signed Furikawa Jochin + kao (古川常珍), with shakudo shitodome. It comes with Hozon certificate. Dimensions: Fuchi 36x20 mm Kashira 32.5x16.5 mm Price 600€ plus shipping From the book 刀装小道具講座: Furukawa Jochin (古川常珍) Biography and Background Jochin was the biological son of Moto-akira (元珍, also read as Moto-chin). His skill level was very similar to his predecessor, and he is considered to have been of equal talent. He resided in Bakuro-cho, Kanda, Edo (modern-day Tokyo), and was active during the An'ei to Kansei eras (roughly 1772–1801). Bakuro-cho was divided into three districts (chome); today, the name survives in Nihonbashi Bakuro-cho 1-chome through 4-chome in Chuo Ward. The name originated from the bakuro (horse dealers/handlers) who managed the horse grounds in the area. During Jochin’s time, it was a district known for having many hatagoya (travelers' inns). Inscriptions (Mei) The majority of his works are signed "Furukawa Jochin [Kao]" (古川常珍 followed by a stylized monogram). While he used a consistent style of Kao, subtle variations can be found. Placement: On most fuchi (collar), kozuka (small knife handle), and kogai (hairpin/skewer), the signature is typically located on the left side. Calligraphy: The brushwork style of the characters for "Furukawa" resembles that of Moto-akira. Materials and Techniques His style is highly reminiscent of Moto-akira. He frequently employed katakiri-bori (incised carving mimicking brushstrokes) on kozuka made of shibuichi (a copper-silver alloy). Relief Work: Compared to his father, fewer extant works feature takabori (high-relief carving). He also produced works using kin-moku (gold application/inlay). Base Metals: He primarily worked with shibuichi and shakudo (a copper-gold alloy). Works using nanako-ji (a "fish-roe" stippled background) are rare. Artistic Style: A defining characteristic of the Furukawa school is the frequent use of vertical compositions (tate-zu). Methodology: In addition to katakiri-bori and ke-bori (fine-line engraving), he utilized techniques such as: Katakiri-hira-zogan (flat inlay combined with incised lines) Takabori-iroe (high-relief carving with colored metal overlays) Usu-niku-bori (low-relief carving) School Influence: His carving style for details—such as the curly manes of shishi (lion-dogs)—shows the technical habits and influence of the Yokoya school of metalwork. Common Motifs (Designs) Jochin shared many of the same subjects as Moto-akira. The school is characterized by a fondness for figure carvings, including: Chinese Themes: Characters from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, Hotei and Daikoku, Hotei with Chinese children (karako), Taoist Immortals (Sennin), and the Tiger Immortal. Japanese/Folklore Themes: Shuten-doji, monkey trainers, figures washing sweet potatoes (imo-arai), figures with rice-cake hoops (mochi-wa), Manzai dancers, scenes from the Soga Monogatari, doll makers, Ohara-me (flower sellers from Ohara), figures pasting posters, children climbing trees, the Kuya Nenbutsu (monk Kuya), ferry boats, moon-viewing scenes, and young cowherds. Animals/Mythical Creatures: Shishi lions, tigers, Kirin (qilin) and Phoenixes, and herds of horses.

Another reduction, 150€ plus shipping

Another reduction, 150€ plus shipping

Another small reduction, 120€

Another reduction to 1200€

It starts at 2:00 PM CET

Price reduced to 1300€ plus shipping

Price reduced to 130€ plus shipping

Price reduced to 180€ plus shipping

Price reduced to 180€ plus shipping

Very well done, glad that my restoration helped in this as well!

Shakudo kozuka representing Kabuto, horse stick and banner on fine nanako ground. Price 200€ plus shipping

Shakudo kozuka representing a bell cricket and bamboo leaves on fine nanako ground. Price 200€ plus shipping

Copper kozuka representing a dragon and a tiger, late Edo period. Price 150€ plus shipping

The auction date is March 18th

Reduced to 1600€ plus shipping

Open to reasonable offers for a quick sale

Horse menuki made from solid gold (from density test should be around 18k), they have been modified on the back side probably to be used as jewelry, but they're still functional for mounting. Dimension of the single menuki is 28 mm and total weight is 9.17 grams. They come in a kiri box with pillow. Located in Italy,so no import taxes for EU. Price 1800€ plus shipping

Yesterday i attended the ceremony for the NBTHK competition, after that we also had the chance to have a preview of the exhibition. It was a great emotion and also an opportunity to meet many people of the Nihonto world.

Excellent article with great pictures, must have taken a lot of time and effort to create it