Sword (katana) with a dark red lacquer saya and plovers in gold (includes 51.1212.1-51.1212.4)

Description Saya in deep red lacquer with small birds in gold and silver lacquer. Kojiri, kozuka handle (inscribed), uragawara. fuchi, meguki and kashira all of gold and silver. Kogai handle, koiguchi, inner seppa, kurigata, and menuki band of silver. Tsuba and menuki of copper and gold. Outer seppa and part of habaki in gold

Inscriptions [Signature] Yoshimichi or Munemichi; [Transcription] Hoki (no) kami Fujiwara Nobutaka; [Translation] Nobutaka, of the Fujiwara clan, Lord of Hoki province

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters