Title: Akikusa Shibagaki Zu<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Description<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0This Kougai is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK. According to the certificate, this Kougai is attributed to the work of Kyo Kanagu shi (\u4eac\u91d1\u5177\u5e2b). The Kyo Kanagu shi refers to a metal fitting craftsman living in Kyoto in the Edo period. They created a variety of metal fittings, including Tsuba, Menuki, and Kougai.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0This Kuugai is made from the Shakudou (\u8d64\u9285), it is an alloy of copper and gold. This material has often been used for making sword mountings due to its properties. Also, the Shakudou gives the works elegant black color. And the gold overglaze painting, called the Kin Iro-e (\u91d1\u8272\u7d75), was applied to this Kougai. It makes an elegant color contrast with copper\u2019s black color. Also, it adds decorativeness to this work.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In addition, the surface of this Kuugai is decorated with the Nanako-Ji (\u9b5a\u5b50\u5730) technique. This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (\u9b5a\u5b50\u5730\u93e8, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0You would find some kinds of flowers and brushwood fences (\u67f4\u57a3, Shibagaki) are depicted for this Kougai. These flowers and plants are\u00a0 categorized as the Akikusa (\u79cb\u8349, autumn plant). One of the flowers is Kiku (\u83ca, chrysanthemum). A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in the continent, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). The chrysanthemum symbolizes fall, and people have greatly appreciated it since ancient times. Since its petals form radially, a chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0It seems that the Kikyou (\u6854\u6897, Japanese bellflower) is also depicted.\u00a0Japanese bellflower is a small star-shaped flower. It is said its root has medicinal efficacy. The Kikyou pattern has often been used as a motif of Tanka (\u77ed\u6b4c, a kind of traditional Japanese poem) and pictures since the Heian period (794-1185). Its name was initially \u201cKichikou,\u201d and it changed to \u201cKikyou\u201d with time. It is said this flower was used for fortune-telling in the old days. This action is called Kikkyou-wo Uranau (\u5409\u51f6\u3092\u5360\u3046) in Japanese. The word Kikkyou (\u5409\u51f6, good or bad omen) was associated with this flower\u2019s name. \u201cKichikou\u201d was compared to the word \u201cKichi Kou (\u5409\u66f4),\u201d which means further good fortune. That is why this flower pattern is treated as a good omen design.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Shibagaki is a fence or hedge made of woven bush. The combination of Shibagaki with plants and flowers has been favored as a motif in paintings and other works. They are still often seen in sightseeing spots such as ancient capitals because of their rusty and simple appearance that fits well in Japanese gardens. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0*Please keep in mind that this Kozuka can be separated into two parts. As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.<\/span><\/p>\n What is Kozuka? <\/strong><\/span> \u00a0The decorative designs of Kozuka were more emphasized than its practical use in the Edo period when Samurai society enjoyed one of the most peaceful times. And there were many ornamental Kozuka and Kougai created by Japanese metalworkers.<\/span><\/p>\n Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai?<\/strong><\/span> Authentication Paper<\/strong>: <\/span>NBTHK Hozon Certificate (No. 4010506)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0NBTHK<\/a>, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the Kougai on November 8th in the 28th year of Heisei (2016). They appraised it as Hozon Tousougu, the Kozuka worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.<\/span><\/p>\n \u3010About us\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u00a0This item is an antique Kougai (\u7b04), which was used to arrange or fix the hairstyle of Samurai. The Kougai is usually stored in the Kougai Hitsu. The Kozuka (\u5c0f\u67c4) is often stored at the other side of the scabbard. About the Kozuka, please read the explication below (What is Kozuka?).
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\n\u00a0Kozuka is the small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu (groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword). Many Tsubas (handguard) have two holes to put Kozuka and Kougai (equipment for appearance) next to Nakagoana (a hole of the Tsuba to put sword), so that Samurai didn’t need to draw his sword out of the scabbard when he wanted to use Kozuka or Kougai. Initially, Samurai used it for cutting wood or attacking enemies in an emergency. It is said that Kozuka was used as a craft knife rather than a weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2024-10-23-0043TOP-scaled.jpg\")
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\n\u00a0Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords\/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on. <\/span><\/p>\n
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