Fuchi with Crouching Lions
Hagiya Katsuhira (Japanese, 1804-1886) (Artist)
1870 (Meiji)
silver, gold
(Japanese Military Armor)

The fuchi is in the shape of two crouching lions. The upper halve of the lions is on the fuchi and the lower halves are on the koi-guchi kanagu at the top of the scabbard. An inscription on the koi-guchi kanagu explicitly calls these Western lions. This is part of a mounted set.
Inscription

[Date] 明治三庚午孟春; [Transliteration] Meiji san kanoe uma môshun; [Translation] Meiji 3 (1870), year of the horse, 1st month; [Inscription] 應井坂貞行君需; [Transliteration] ô Isaka Sadayuki shi ju; [Translation] commissioned by Mr. Izaka Sadayuki; [Signature] 水戸住　萩谷勝平; [Transliteration] Mito ju Hagiya Katsuhira; [Translation] living in Mito, Hagiya Katsuhira

Measurements

H: 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)