Katana Tsuka with Silver Tiger Menuki and Shakudo Fuchikashira

Description

Katana tsuka with silver menuki and shakudo fuchikashira. This is a very old tsuka, not only fittings are from edo period but also wooden core, samegawa and possibly even tsuka maki.
Menuki are made of silver. They are hidden under ito and not in perfect condition so it is not obvious what they depict. However the one on the front side has stripes and the one on the back small spots. Based on that in my opinion they show tigers.
When tiger was introduced to Japan by paintings and fur there was a mix up. Japanese artists thought that striped one was a male and spotted one was a female. While in fact striped is a tiger and spotted is a leopard. So while intention of the artist was to show male and female tiger. They actually made menuki of tiger and leopard.
Shakudo nanako fuchikashira decorated with vines on the fance.
Good quality full wrap samegawa painted with black urushi.
Cloth ito painted with black urushi, there are visible damages near mekugi ana, please see the pictures. Tsuka maki is tight.
Old wooden core.
Made in Edo period.
Size:
Length: 22 cm
Fuchi: 39 mm x 22 mm x 9 mm
Fuchi hole: 29 mm x 8 mm
Nakago hole: 17 cm
From top of the fuchi to center of mekugi ana: 30 mm
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