A koshira-e (mounting) for a wakizashi (short sword)
Edo period (1615-1868), early-mid 19th century
The saya (scabbard) of brown-black lacquer inlaid with numerous roundels of seashell displaying a spiral pattern, the tsuka (hilt) covered in rayskin with standard silk tsukamaki wrapping in lozenge pattern, the shakudo and gold menuki each in the form of a dragon and shaku (sceptre), one with a pearl, the fuchigashira and tsuba of shakudo chiselled with tigers and bamboos, the kozuka of shakudo nanako chiselled in relief with a dragon and shaku (sceptre), the details gilt; wood tsukuri blade; silk cord; with a brocade bag. 65.7cm (25 7/8in) long. (2).