A koshira-e (mounting) for a wakizashi (short sword)


Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th centuryThe saya (scabbard) of textured brown-black lacquer with cloud patterns in gold togidashi maki-e, fitted with a kurikata of gilt copper in the form of a tiger, a kojiri of gilt copper in the form of a minogame (turtle with a 'tail' of weed), and another minogame of gilt copper on the side, the tsuka (hilt) covered in rayskin with standard silk tsukamaki wrapping in lozenge pattern, the shakudo and gold menuki each in the form of a blossom, the fuchigashira of shakudo with relief decoration of peonies in copper and gilding, signed Masayoshi saku (made by Masayoshi), the tsuba of shakudo chiselled in relief with New-Year decorations: kadomatsu (pine saplings), plum branch and box for a fan, the details in gilt, signed Goto Mitsutaka with a kao, the kozuka of shakudo, ribbed in the form of the hilt for a ken (ancient straight sword), with details in silver and gilt, the kozuka slot decorated with gilt-copper bamboo leaves; wood tsukuri blade; with a lacquered storage box. 69.8cm (27½in) long. (3).