Kozuka signed "Shomin" with Kao. With Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu. This artist was a student of the Kikugawa school, but later in his career switched to the Tsuchiya school, where he worked under the supervision of a fifth-generation Tsuchiya master, Kunichika. There are extant works by this maker with dates 1851, 1854, and 1857.
According to NBTHK certificate it is made of shibuichi. However in my opinion it has a slight blue haze which suggest shakudo alloy. Definitely not a high grade but in my opinion it looks more like shakudo than shibuichi.
Decorated with a motif of Prince Yamato Takeru. He was a semi-legendary prince from the Japanese imperial family, born around 72 AD. There are many fascinating stories about his life. The most important of these may concern the sword he holds on this kozuka. It is the "Kusanagi No Tsurugi," a sword extracted from the body of an eight-headed beast by the god Susanoo and subsequently given to the goddess Amaterasu. This sword rested at the Amaterasu Shrine in Ise until it was presented to Prince Takeru. The sword itself has played a role in many important events in Japanese history. It is currently one of the three imperial regalia known as the Three Sacred Treasures.
Size: 98 mm x 14 mm x 4 mm
In custom made kiri box.
