A fine cloisonné enamel tachi koshirae (scabbard for a long sword)
Attributed to a Kyoto workshop, Meiji Period
Of shallow koshizori form, bearing a black ground and worked in silver wire on the saya, tsuka and mokko-form tsuba, decorated with dragons writhing among swirling clouds in tones of grey enamel with blue and green details, the fittings of silvered brass, chased with dragons and clouds, the tsuka surmounted by a large silvered-metal dragon head, unsigned; with a fitted wood storage box. 113.5cm (44¾in) long. (3).
FOOTNOTES
雲龍文七宝龍頭太刀拵　無銘（おそらく京都の七宝工房作）　明治時代

Accompanied by a NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho certificate, dated 2nd April Showa 52 (1977).

Although an edict of 1876 rescinded the traditional right of the samurai to wear two swords, enamellers, lacquerers and metalworkers continued to make elaborate sets of sword fittings. Some of these were perhaps intended for sale to Japanese customers but outsize tachi (slung swords) such as these were designed to appeal to the Western fascination with Japan’s traditional warriors and their weapons.

The decoration on the handle and scabbard of this sword is loosely in the style of Namikawa Yasuyuki but is more likely the product of another workshop in Kyoto.

Compare with other cloisonne enamel tachi illustrated by Joe Earle, Splendors of Meiji, Treasures of Imperial Japan, Florida, USA 1999. p.168, nos.158 and 159.