Show Us Your High Class Tosogu

[Tanto54]

Dear Chen Chen-san, very nice kozuka!  Good mix of inlay and katakiribori.

[Curran]

"The pattern on this Kozuka comes from"

 

The artist is one of the Uchikoshi guys?  Ichijosai Hiro____  + kao

Good looking example in high state of preservation.

[SteveM]

I think 秀現斎弘貞 Shūgensai Hirosada.

[CHEN CHEN]

Fuchi kashira with design of Ink Bamboo

 

[Brian]

Wow.
Stunning!

[Tanto54]

+1 Another beautiful piece!

[sabi]

Yamakichibei, generation inconclusive - needs more study but either Meijin Shodai or early Nidai. 

Nademaru gata, Nata and Chrysanthemum sukashi, 7.3 x 7.0cm, Momoyama. 

 

[jct3602]

A friend bought this since it was way too expensive for me!  But I directed him to it after I looked at it..  The surface is wild.

 

john twineham

[Bruce Pennington]

Not my forte, but thought you guys might appreciate this.  Made by 菊岡 Kikuoka  I thought it was interesting to see a habaki designed with the inner lining fitted to the bohi.  Also, his method for attaching his name to the back of the menugi seemed unique.  

[Geraint]

Wonderful koshirae Bruce, thank you for sharing.  The method of fixing the mei on the menuki is called tanzaku and is not that uncommon.

 

All the best.

[ZH1980]

Here is a favorite in my collection - a Daiso tsuba set signed by Souju (Kao) 宗寿（花押）

[Iaido dude]

In response to Steve's plea for more steel tsuba:

 

Ex-Sasano (gold book Plate 75) Kanayama "Thunderbolt"

 

 

 

Edited November 22 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

Thick early Edo Ohno Karuma with massive tekkotsu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

Very early massive "proto-Akasaka" Kirishitan Ikenie.

 

Edited November 22 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

"Generic Edo Period" with numerous influences including Kyo-sukashi, Owari, Ohno smiths, which was sold as a Tanshu Sadamasa. I just like the very large size, heaviness, and motifs; mounts nicely on my katana for tameshigiri. Unexpectedly, it seems to have tekkotsu, but I dont' think it is Momoyama/early Edo. The indented tail feather motif seen at the bottom is unusual and not seen in earlier periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22 by Iaido dude

[Curran]

On 11/22/2025 at 9:32 AM, Iaido dude said:

In response to Steve's plea for more steel tsuba:

 

Ex-Sasano (gold book Plate 75) Kanayama "Thunderbolt"

 

 

 

 

I regret letting this one get away about 15 years ago.

I have my personal favorite Kanayama now, but this one was On Par. I am glad to see it again.

 

[Curran]

It took me a long time to fully appreciate these Kirishitan tsuba, though I am not Christian.

With enough time and understanding, I too appreciate them.

I gauge mine to be around 3rd gen.

 

[Iaido dude]

Lovely, Curran. They represent the 3rd style according to Fred Geyer’s paper on this topic. They speak of religious faith and sacrifice. I’m fascinated by the way in which Christianity resonated with a Buddhist mindset. 

Edited Monday at 12:40 PM by Iaido dude

[Curran]

3 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

Lovely, Curran. They represent the 3rd style according to Fred Geyer’s paper on this topic. They speak of religious faith and sacrifice. I’m fascinated by the way in which Christianity resonated with a Buddhist mindset. 

And vice versa from early philosophy to present.

Dear wife comes from a Buddhist --> Christian family.

Personally, I ended up somewhere in the middle after having explored both for quite a number of years.

 

Put another way, I was not particularly good at being either.

Still, both are knowledge through stories.