A wakizashi in lacquer mounts, with a sword standThe saya and tsuka by Fujiwara Zokoku (1806-1869)
Edo period (1615-1868) 19th century
The blade hirazukuri, iorimune, toriizori forged in itame hada and with a choji gunome tempered edge with nie and utsuri, ending in a hakikake boshi, carved with bohi on both sides, one-piece gold-foil habaki, 16 1/4in (41.3cm) long
The koshirae with a black-lacquer saya carved on the surface with orchids, reishi fungus, a finger citron, and banana leaves, signed and sealed Zokoku and dated Hinoe-tora (1866), with a shakudo kozuka with gilt highlights with a waterwheel in waves, the lacquer tsuka carved with hollyhock leaves and with recessed panels with carp swimming up waterfalls in shakudo and gilt, bearing a seal, fitted with a cloisonné-enamel fuchi with floral vines in gold wire and colored enamels, and a kashira decorated in Kaga-style inlays of chrysanthemum and vines in gold and copper on a shakudo ground, with a copper openwork tsuba carved with a dragon
The sword stand wood, carved on the cross-piece with openwork clouds and roundels of stylized characters and with a central inlaid ceramic panel decorated in cobalt blue with peonies and bats, the base with peacock feathers in gold and silver hiramaki-e and aogai, and gold-foil highlights, the edges finished in fundame
11 3/8 x 17 3/8in (28.8 x 44.1cm)