O-Tanto Koshirae

Here is one of two complete matching Late Edo period koshirae offered on the site that were recently liberated from a family Kura (sode warehouse).  One side has a crackled egg shell looking inlay which is probably some type of shell. The lacquer of the saya is in generally very good condition with some very light cracks here and there. The fittings are in brass with a nice patina. Fuchi, kashira, tsuba, are all en suite and are engraved with Ezoesque designs of what I interpret as chrysanthemums. The menuki are very thin and in the form of rakkans, which are seated relaxing sages. This koshirae housed a serious sized blade of o-tanto or short wakizashi size, and I imagine it belonging to a young samurai or a merchant. The size of the sunagi is probably pretty close to what the blade looked like and it is a nice tight fit.
late Edo period Circa 1820-1870

Overall Length: 52.5 cm   Saya Length: 38.5 cm    Tsuba: 5.6 cm x 4.0 cm x 0.4 cm
 

SOLD