Kantei

NH-0717 Rank 17

Tsuba · Nobuie

信家 (Nobuie)

Hammered-iron tsuba of lobed cross shape, signed 信家 (Nobuie), with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper that accepts the signature.

TsubaMomoyama (1573–1615)Momoyama period (late 16th century)NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Iron tsuba signed 信家 (Nobuie), the great master of the iron tsuba in the Momoyama period. The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper records it as 打込文様鍔 (uchikomi mon'yō tsuba) and accepts the signature without reservation. The shape is 十字木瓜形 (jūji mokkō-gata), a cross-shaped outline with soft lobes. The plate, of 鉄槌目地 (tetsu tsuchime-ji), hammer-worked iron, is scattered with a fine pattern of punched marks, 打込 (uchikomi), and the paper also notes 刻印 (kokuin); the rim, 打返耳 (uchikaeshi-mimi), is folded back on itself and gives body to the outline. The signature, broad and calligraphic, is read on the front beside the central opening. The photographs show a dark brown, stable patina with reddish tones, with no active rust, cracks or knocks; the pattern and the signature are slightly softened by use. The central opening is fitted with copper sekigane above and below. According to the original seller it measures 8.09 × 7.56 cm, 0.32 cm thick, weighs 108 g, and is kept in a paulownia box with a fabric cover. The paper is dated 1 May 2012.

Strong points

  • Signature 信家 (Nobuie) accepted by the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper
  • 十字木瓜形 (jūji mokkō-gata) shape with 打返耳 (uchikaeshi-mimi) rim
  • Hammered iron with 打込 (uchikomi) punched pattern
  • Dark, stable patina with no active rust in the photographs
  • Paulownia box with fabric cover

Points to bear in mind

  • The signature is shallow and reads best under raking light.
  • The central opening is fitted with copper sekigane.
  • The Momoyama dating comes from the original seller and the style; the paper does not state it.
  • The box carries no visible expert inscription.

Score breakdown

69.8/100

The score shares out 100 points: Maker 25 · Workmanship 20 · Condition 18 · Period 12 · Paper 10 · Extras 5 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. Maker, workmanship, condition and period are judged from the photographs and the paper; price is compared only with fittings of the same type.

  1. Maker 25 of 25 Genuine signature of a first-rank master, confirmed by the paper
  2. Workmanship 15 of 20 Notable work
  3. Condition 14 of 18 Good condition
  4. Period 11 of 12 Momoyama (1573–1615)
  5. Paper 4 of 10 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōsōgu
  6. Extras 0 of 5 No complete set by the same maker and no inscribed box
  7. Price 0.8 of 10 Rank 209 of 228 by price among pieces of its type, from the most affordable to the dearest