Wakizashi jabara ito maki tsuka decoratd with Koshohei sennin. He lived in Kwenlun mountains at the court of fairy queen Seiobo. When he was fifteen he led herd of goats to the Kin Hwa mountains, found a grotto and stayed there for 40 years in meditation. His brother Shoki was set upon finding his lost brother. One day he was told about sage Zenju living in the mountains and went on a journey to find him. When he did he recognise his brother but there where no goats around him. Then Koshohei with a touch of his wand changed a white stone to a live goat. Koshohei is sometimes described as an incarnation of rain priest. Source: "Legend in Japanese Art" by Henri L. Joly.
Shakudo fuchikashira with nanako ground and both silver and copper inlay. Very interesting method was used to place gold on the sennin. It was done with a thin gold foil instead of amalgamat. Thanks to that gold layer is much thicker and looks great. I think the same method has beed used for leafs on the tree over the Koshohei and grass next to his feet.
Shakudo menuki decorated with silver inlay and gilded elements. They both look great on this tsuka. At this point I am not able to say who is depicted on them. On the reverse side there is a man riding a horse among waves with imperial court hat on his head. So it might be Emperor Gentoku (Chinese Liu Bei) running away from a trap. However on the front there are two people on a boat. One who is driving it and another who is sitting inside. Unfortunately due to ito wrap we can't see who it is.
Jabara ito has some damages due to old age, however it is reasonably tight so It can be used on a sword.
Good quality samegawa with beautiful oyatsugu.
Size:
Length: 16 cm
Fuchi: 38 mm x 24 mm
Fuchi hole: 29 mm x 7-8 mm
Nakago hole: 10,5 cm
From top of the fuchi to center of mekugi ana: 37 mm
