Japanese Shibuichi Tsuba with Jurojin and Minogame by Goto Mitsunaga, 19th Century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century, Edo period
This Japanese sword guard, or tsuba, is crafted in the marugata (round) form from shibuichi with a polished (migakiji) finish. Dating to the 19th century Edo period, this piece features high-quality metalwork ornamentation with inlays of gold, silver, and shakudo.
The obverse depicts the deity Jurojin holding a cane from which scrolls are suspended, accompanied by a crane flying above. The reverse displays a minutely carved minogame (a long-tailed turtle) positioned at the water's edge. The design includes one kogai-ana and one kozuka-ana for the sword’s associated utility tools. The guard measures 7.3 cm in height and 6.9 cm in length, with a mimi (rim) and seppa-dai (central area) thickness of 0.4 cm, and weighs 148.8 grams.
It is signed on one side with the maker's name, Naka Goto Mitsunaga, accompanied by a personal kao (stylized signature mark). This piece exemplifies traditional Japanese metalcraft, balancing decorative artistic inlay with the functional requirements of a functional sword guard from the Edo period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Height
- 7.3 cm
- Length
- 6.9 cm
- Weight
- 148.8 g
- Material
- shibuichi, gold, silver, shakudo
- Thickness
- 0.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Form
- marugata
- Openings
- kogai hitsu ana, kozuka hitsu ana
Design
- Obverse
- Jurojin with cane and scrolls, flying crane
- Reverse
- minogame at the shore
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Goto Mitsunaga
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.