Tsuka with Silver Metalwork

Description The lacquer work on the tsuka imitates leather. The kashira on the end is decorated with cat scratch engraving ("neko gake"). The hole for the mekuki, which held the blade in place, is surrounded by a lobbed fitting. This is part of a mounted set.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters