Type: Tanto koshirae Length: 15.6cm (wooden blade length)
The koshirae presents a cohesive late Edo aesthetic in largely matching black lacquered mounts with modest gilt detailing. The saya is finished in a textured black ishime-style lacquer, now showing areas of minor wear and scratches. The interior of the kogatana pocket shows lovely floral patterned lining, an unusual and charming detail that adds character. The end of the saya shows a fitted black kojiri. The fuchi-kashira set is iron with raised floral motifs, accented with small gilt highlights; these motifs are worn but still identifiable. The kashira in particular shows the most preserved detail, with gilt petals visible. The fuchi is similarly decorated. The tsuka core appears intact but the tsukamaki is in poor condition, with large sections of black ito unraveling or split, loss of tightness, and exposure of the samegawa beneath, but the remaining sections showing an extremely handsome wrap. Menuki are absent. The tsuba is an iron plate guard of simple oval form with a broad rim, with lovely curling vines around its edge. The seppa set includes simple brass seppa showing tarnish and light scratches, but still functional. The habaki is constructed of honoki to match the tsunagi, and is a particularly handsome example. The overall koshirae has an honest, cohesive presentation with a subdued dark tone softened by floral motifs in the metalwork. There is a kogatana present in the saya as well, with a very nice stone textured iron kozuka and brass inlaid flowers and leaves, one of the most striking components of the set. The kogatana itself is signed, but the signature is too worn from centuries of use to be read.
