Koshirae: Mino Wakizashi “Butterflies and Insects”
Signature/mei: unsigned/mumei
Materials:
- Tsuba: iron, copper, gold
- Menuki: shakudo, gold
- Fuchi kashira: shakudo, gold
- Kozuka: shakudo, gold
- Saya: wrapped in leather, black lacquered
Era/jidai: late Edo
Dimensions:
- Saya: 49.9cm
- Tsuka: 16.5cm
- Total: 66.8cm
Price: not available
If we look at the fuchi kashira of this koshirae, we can see the influence of the Mino tradition of tosogu. The insects are deeply carved into the shakudo ground and the use of gold also shows aspects of the Mino tradition.
The insect theme continues on the carefully forged iron tsuba. We also find the theme of insects on the menuki and kozuka, both are made out of shakudo.
The tsuka is rebuilt with new same-gawa and the tsuka-maki is the same color as the sageo and goes perfectly with it. Together with the saya, which is wrapped in finely ribbed, black lacquered leather, the overall impression of this koshirae is rather elegant.