Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century The ribbed saya lacquered to simulate wood grain and fitted with a silver kojiri carved with rolling clouds in takabori, the tsuka wrapped in brown silk over same and fitted with a shakudo fuchi decorated with plovers over crashing waves in takabori and iro-e takazogan, and a plain shakudo kashira, the shakudo menuki formed as gourds on a vine, the iron Higo plate tsuba pierced with large namako apertures 36in (91.4cm) long overall