A finely mounted aikuchi with koto blade
The blade by Uda Kunimune, Muromachi period (1333-1573), 15th century, the kozuka and kogai by Naritoshi, 19th century
The blade of hira-zukuri form, with regular koshi-hi to one side and bo-hi with soe-hi to the other, medium sugu-ba of nioi with profuse nie and sunagashi, the hada of tight itame, the ubu nakago with three mekugi-ana, signed Uda Kunimune; koshira-e (mounting): the kozuka and wari-kogai of pale shibuichi, delicately engraved and inlaid with butterflies and dragonflies among wild flowers by a stream, each with lines of a poem on the reverse, signed Naritoshi with a kao; the fuchi-gashira, kurikata and kojiri of silver with profuse chrysanthemums in relief with gold highlights; the menuki of silver, each in the form of three egrets; with silk storage bag. The blade 31cm (12 3/8in) long; total length 46.4cm (18 3/8in). (2).