Three kozuka [knife handles] | Edo period, 18th – 19th century

Three kozuka [knife handles]

Edo period, 18^th – 19^th century

the first shakudo inlaid in gold with a shishi and its young in high relief on a nanako ground, signed Katsura Sorin and kao [cursive monogram]; the second shakudo decorated in gold, copper, and shibuichi metals with a demon converted to Buddhism (oni no nenbutsu) in Otsu-e style, signed Otsuki Mitsuhiro and kao, dated Tenpo go-saru nen chushun (mid-spring in the Year of the Monkey 1834); the third Ichijo school shakudo kozuka carved in low relief and inlaid in gold and silver with a large peony among butterflies and rockwork

Each 9.5 cm., 3¾ in. high 

The first accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Kicho Kodogu [Especially Precious Fitting], no. 788 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Showa 47 (1972).