A fine and rare kinko koshira-e for a daisho
The fittings by Hamano Masanobu (born 1773), Edo Period, early 19th century
The saya of finely lacquered same, the katana saya applied with a coiled snake in shibuichi takazogan, signed Miboku with kao and the kuchigane in the form of a slug; the fittings of shakudo ishime, inlaid with various insects, the tsuba of oval form, inlaid with butterflies in gold, silver and copper takazogan, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao: the kozuka with wasps around a nest in gold, copper and shibuichi takazogan, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao, the kogai with a gold mantis, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao; the fuchi-gashira inlaid in iro-e takazogan with flies, a wasp and grasshopper, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao; the menuki in the form of gilt metal and shakudo beetles; the kurigata inlaid with a partially gilt copper locust; the kojiri with a snail in relief; the wakizashi saya with a shibuichi kanamono of a frog signed Miboku with kao and the kuchigane of copper in the form of a caterpillar; the shakudo ishime fittings decorated with insects, the tsuba of oval form, inlaid with dragonflies in shibuichi takazogan with gold and copper details, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao; the kozuka with a grasshopper and beetle in gold and shakudo takazogan, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao, the kogai with a ladybird on a taro leaf, in gold, copper and shakudo, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao; the fuchi-gashira inlaid with crickets, signed Otsuryuken Miboku with kao; the menuki are of copper and shibuichi in the form of a cicada pupal case and a fully fledged cicada; the kurigata of copper, in the form of a worm-eaten chestnut. The katana koshira-e 91cm (36in) long, the wakizashi koshira-e 66.7cm (26¼in) long. (5).
FOOTNOTES
虫尽金具研出鮫鞘大小拵　
小柄、笄、鍔、縁頭　銘「乙柳軒味墨（花押）」　江戸時代（19世紀前期）

Accompanied by a NBTHK certificate dated Showa 50 (1975). The wood blades each bear an attestation by Dr Sato Kanzan.

For the maker of the fittings, see Robert Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, Ellwangen, Germany, 2001, no.04332.

Hamano Masanobu was born in 1773 and became the student of and heir to Hamano Nobuyuki. He was adopted into the Hamano family and was granted the honour of becoming the fourth Hamano master in 1793.