Kokinko Tsuba with Mitsu Tomoe Mons Hozon Certificate
65 mm x 60 mm x 3mm
“Ko-kinko” (古金工) refers to a school of early Japanese sword guard (tsuba) makers who produced soft-metal fittings primarily from the Muromachi period (1392-1573) to the Momoyama period.These tsuba are highly valued as antique collectible items.
Characteristics of Ko-kinko Tsuba
Ko-kinko tsuba are known for their distinct aesthetic and materials, often featuring:
- Materials: They are typically made from soft metal alloys such as shakudō (a copper-gold alloy) or yamagane (native copper or “mountain metal”). The high gold content in some shakudō pieces gives them a rich, dark luster.
- Design and Decoration: Common designs include floral patterns, waves, animals, or religious motifs, often using techniques like high-relief carving (takabori), gold overlay (uttori iro-e), and stippling (nanako surface).
- Functionality: While later tsuba sometimes became purely ornamental, many ko-kinko pieces have a robust, functional feel, suggesting their use on the battlefield.
