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-wood storage box. 69.8cm (27½in) long. (3).