This is a kinko fuchi-kashira set, the soft-metal collar and pommel cap from a Japanese sword hilt. The decoration shows a pair of Chinese lions among bamboo beside a waterfall, raised against a shakudo ground finished in nanako, the fine punched-dot texture. The piece is unsigned and is listed as used.

It suits a Utah collector of Japanese sword fittings, either to complete a hilt that is missing its fuchi and kashira or to display on its own. Because it is unsigned, its appeal rests on the quality of the carving and the condition of the nanako ground, both of which are visible in the photographs. The lion, bamboo and waterfall subject gives the two pieces a shared scene, which is how matched sets are meant to read on the hilt. We have no further information on school or date and do not add any.

Key features

• Kinko fuchi and kashira set
• Chinese lions, bamboo and waterfall motif
• Shakudo nanako ground
• Unsigned
• Used

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