Kozuka ID help- Pic added

[Mantis dude]

Hi all,

 

Searching the internet I found this kozuka but it had no info about it. I was curious if anyone has a guess as to which schools it could possibly come from? The metal is shakudo with gold inlays. The nanako and inlay continues on side of piece. It is 3 28/32" long X 17/32" wide X 8/32" at its highest point. My guess might be Kaga because of the plant inlays but not sure of that at all. Because of the insects I could also say mino or mino goto. Having no signature certainly makes assigning a school much harder. Appreciate any guesses out there. Thanks.

Ken

[Curran]

When it looks like cross between Kaga and Mino,

a good guess would be Kozenji work (Owari Kinko from Nagoya).

 

But Kozenji work is usually incredibly precise. The nanako is tight and flawless.

And the shakudo is very good black.

 

This doesn't feel Kozenji, so probably best attributed as Kaga kinko?

[Mantis dude]

Curran,

Very interesting, even if not kozenji work, I am not aware of this school or the Id tip of kaga and mino. I will read up on the school. Thanks!

[Curran]

Ken,

 

Kozenji: There was very little in English. One of the Japanese speakers here has helped me translate a few articles from Japan books, and at home I have a small folder of Kozenji fittings images. I own a tsuba and a f/k from this school.

 

Their work can often be top grade in execution, but conservative of designs. An odd mash of Kaga Goto, Ko-Mino to early Mino, with a dash of Yoshioka-ish nanako work. It leaves me begging that it was signed.

Their tsuba tend to be small, and you are more likely to see their work on kozuka, fuchi & kashira. I don't think I've seen a Kozenji kogai.

 

I'll post an image tomorrow, and maybe a few more when I get home.