New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Sword Handle

Artist Unknown Japanese

CultureJapanese

Date18th Century

MediumGold | Bronze

DimensionsOverall: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.3049

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThe handle without blade of a Kozuka which is an auxilliary knife fitting into the exterior wall of the scabbard of a Japanese sword. Of flattened elongated rectangular form. These were made ensuite with the rest of the fittings and could be withdrawn from the slot by an opening in the tsuba called a kozukahitsu. Comment by Martin Lorber, 11/18/93: "Gold nanko (fish roe punchwork) with shadudo (pickled black) pine needles. Not signed".

Published ReferencesMark Clark & Martin Lorber, _The Eugene Kettering Collection-Miniture Japanese Metalwork_, (Dayton Art Institute, March 1975), for ill. & explanation of sword fittings.