Hiiro-Doo Kozuka Signed "Masayoshi" with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu Tsunagi length

Tsunagi length

Iron Kyo-Sukashi tsuba with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu

but most probably it is made of shibuichi

Decorated with amida yasurime

Decorated with Four Gentleman

Hiiro-Doo Kozuka Signed "Masayoshi" with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu Tsunagi lengthKozuka made of hiiro doo, it is rarely used alloy of very pure copper. Its literal meaning is "scarlet copper", also know as shudoo. Produced only from a second half of Edo period untill Meiji period. It was made by specialised shops in a time consuming way. That is why it was rather expensive. (Alloy description from "Tosogu Classroom" vol. 1, by Fukushi Shigeo, translated by Markus Sesko) Nanako ground, carved in takabori and decorated with shakudo