A shin-shinto ko-dachi within a cloisonné enamel koshirae (scabbard for a long sword)
Meiji Period
The blade of shinogi-zukuri form, in cloisonné enamel saya and tsuka bearing a black ground and enamelled with ho-o birds among kiri and karakusa; the tsuba similarly decorated and the remaining mounts of brass, engraved with karakusa, unsigned. 71.1cm (28in) long.
FOOTNOTES
鳳凰図七宝小太刀拵　無銘　明治時代

Although an edict of 1876 rescinded the traditional right of the samurai to wear two swords, enamelers, lacquerers and metalworkers continued to make elaborate set of sword fittings.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.