Kozuka: Knife Handle

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Flying Cranes Signature, Kozuka: 正重 (Masashige) Signature, knife: 井上 真 (Inoue Mokoto) Age: Edo period Material: Copper (Kozuka itself), Wood (lid) A Kozuka made from copper. Flying cranes are designed on this Kozuka and its lid. This pattern is called “Tobi Tsuru Mon” or “Hikaku Mon” in Japanese. It’s said that crane lives around one thousand years; therefore, this bird has been considered as the symbol of longevity for a long time ago.  Also, as cranes make compatible couples, its pattern represents happy marriage. Due to its pure white feathers and dignified appearance, it was favorably used as a good omen design for…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Small Bird and Japanese Apricot Tree Signature: 一柳友善 (Hitotsuyanagi Tomoyoshi) Age: late Edo period (1781-1867) Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudo. Shakudo contains copper and a small amount of gold; therefore, this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. A little bird takes a rest at the Japanese apricot tree. Japanese apricots bloom in winter, so snow covers its tree. That’s why this flower tells the coming spring. It has been appreciated for a long time ago in Japan. People enjoy its adorable petal shape and scent, gracefully branched tree, and compose many poems. As it…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Mitsugashiwa Mon Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou. Shakudou contains copper and a small amount of gold; therefore, this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. Its base is decorated with the Nanako-Ji technique. The groundwork was hit by Nanakoji-Tagane (chisel for metalworking), so small dents cover the background. Each small dot looks like fish egg. Mitsugashiwa Mon is designed on this Kozuka. This pattern is a combination of three Kashiwa (daimyo oak) leaves. Its leaves were used for putting foods in the past. So, it was used as a…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kyo Kinko-style, Three Lions Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou that contains copper and a small amount of gold; therefore, this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. Its base is decorated by the “Nanako-Ji” technique. The groundwork was hit by Nanakoji-Tagane (chisel for metalworking), so small dents cover the background. Each small dot looks like fish egg. Three lions are designed and inlaid with gold. People thought lion has the power of the sun and believed that lion will protect us from evil spirits. There are also its mane…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Nomura-style, Kiseru and Uchiwa Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou that contains copper and a small amount of gold; therefore, this Koduka has bluish-purple black color. Its base is decorated by the “Nanako-Ji” technique. The groundwork was hit by Nanakoji-Tagane(chisel for metalworking), so small dents cover the background. Each small dot looks like fish egg. Kiseru is a pipe. It was brought from Portugal to Japan at the end of the Muromachi period. Since then, people started smoking, but it was quite an expensive item for citizens. Only…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kaga-Zougan-style, Haze and Willow Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou. Shakudou contains copper and a small amount of gold therfore this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. A misty wood is engraved by Hirazougan technique. It’s a kind of inlay technique. It use a flat or linearly processed metal and put into grooves therefore it’s be finished almost evenly. Three birds are engraved on the back side. This Kozuka is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK. Size Thickness Weight 1.4cm×9.7cm…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Bamboo Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: Brass A Kozuka made from brass. A bamboo is engraved on the face. Its back side is separated two colors, gold and black. Do you know Houou? It’s a kind of mythical animal; phoenix which originally came from China. It’s  called Houou in Japanese. It’s said that Houou appears only when a brilliant emperor was born. According to a legend, Houou eats nuts of bamboo therefore bamboo has been being treated as good-luck bringer. Also, bamboo dosen’t change its green color even in winter. This plant pattern represents unchaging or longevity.  Size Thickness Weight 1.5cm×9.8cm…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Raptor and Monkey Signature: SIGNED but cannot be read Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from Copper. A raptor and a monkey are designed. This flying raptor might be a hawk. Hawk is an intelligent bird used for hunting, which is called falconry. It was popular among high-class Samurai to have it hunt prays as a pastime activity. Back in the old days, it was also known as a symbol of the authority for emperors and royal families. During the warring period, it is said that men (Samurai) and the hawk had a deep connection as a symbol of advancement and…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Onigawara Signature: SIGNED on the surface of the knife but cannot be read: □兵□尉作 Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from copper. Onigawara is designed on this Kozuka. Onigawara is a ridge-end roof tile with a demon face. Oni is a kind of Japanese monster which has a human body and scary face with fangs. It’s believed that this decorative tile will protect us from evil spirits. Other types of motifs such as flower patterns or family crests can be found as a decoration of Onigawara, but it’s also called Onigawara. The small knife is included with this item. You can…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Cherry Blossoms Signature: 三宅永要 (Miyake Eiyou) Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou. Shakudou contains copper and a small amount of gold therfore this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. It was hit by the specific graver (Nanakoji Tagane), so its base has upheaval. Each small dot looks like fish egg therefore this type of decoration is called “Nanakoji” in Japanese. Cherry Blossoms are engraved on the face. This flower is a representative flower of Spring. Its pattern has been being appreciated since Heian period (782-1184) It represents a sign of good luck. Size Thickness…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Rolls of Cloth Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakdou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou. Shakudou contains copper and a small amount of gold therfore this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. It was hit by the specifique graver (Nanakoji Tagane), so its base has upheaval. Each small dot looks like fish egg therefore this type of decoration is called “Nanakoji” in Japanese. Rolls of cloth for Kimono (Japanese traditional costume) are engraved and it forms gentle arcs. Size Thickness Weight 1.4cm×9.5cm 0.4cm 28g Please note that this item is only Kozuka case, small knife is not…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Heron and Hollyhock Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from copper. The surface of this Kozuka’s base is decorated with Nanako-ji technique. The groundwork was hit by Nanakoji-Tagane (chisel for metalworking), so small dents cover the background. Each small dot looks like fish egg. Shirasagi (white heron) is an elegant bird which looks similar to crane. Generally, this bird is designed with running water and reed patterns so that it symbolizes summer. It’s treated as a kind of good-omen motif. Shirasagi and running water are inlaid with silver. Hollyhock leaves are inlaid with gold. Its leaf pattern has…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Lion and Hawk Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from copper. A lion and a hawk are designed. It is believed that a lion has the power of the sun, and its pattern will protect us from evil spirits. Hawk is a smart bird used for hunting, which is called falconry, it’s famous as recreation for high-class Samurai. But in the old days, it was also familiar with emperors and royal families so it might be the reason why hawk was regarded as a symbol of the authority of the ruler. During the warring period, the success of…

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Traveler’s Journal Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: Brass A Kozuka made from brass. A man pulling a horse is engraved under the willow tree. The horse carries bunches of straws on his back. This Kozuka might describe a scene of journey or a dailiy routine. Size Thickness Weight 1.4cm×9.5cm 0.4cm 35g Please note that this item is only Kozuka case, small knife is not included.  K000004  

Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Mountain Path Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from copper. An elderly person carrying a basket is going to cross a wooden bridge. Weeping willows and weeds are fluttering in the breeze.  Size Thickness Weight 1.7cm×9.8cm 0.7cm 30g Please note that this item is only Kozuka case, small knife is not included. K000003  

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: Kyo-Kinkou-style, Seven Lions Signature: NO SIGNED Age: Edo period Material: 赤銅 (Shakudou, mixture of copper and gold) A Kozuka made from Shakudou. Shakudou contains copper and a small amount of gold therfore this Kozuka has bluish-purple black color. It was hit by the specifique graver (Nanakoji Tagane), so its base has upheaval. Each small dot looks like fish egg therefore this type of decoration is called “Nanakoji” in Japanese. Seven lions are engraved on the face. It’s believed that lion pattern works well for driving out evil spirits. This Kozuka is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords,…

Certificate: NBTHK Made in Japan Free Shipping Worldwide Title: The Hawk Signature: 秀次 (Hidetsugu) Age: Edo period Material: Copper A Kozuka made from copper. A hawk flapping its huge wings is engraved on the face. Its sharp eyes can survey the wide view, so it’s compared to the clairvoyance. It’s said that taons of hawks represent holding luck or happiness. The pine tree and the waterfall are engraved on the back side. This Kozuka is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK. Size Thickness Weight 1.4cm×9.6cm 0.4cm 30g Please note that this item is only Kozuka case, small knife is not included.…