Dagger with lacquered wood scabbard featuring a gold design of a dragon emerging from clouds; hilt covered in rayfish skin and silk; metal fittings of 'shakudo', gold and copperDagge, Scabbard and Kozuka; lacquered wood scabbard featuring a dragon emerging from clouds; wooden hilt covered in rayfish skin; gold,copper and shakudo fittings; Japan, ca. 1850The blade of this dagger has fine <i>itame</i> graining, making it resemble wood. On one side it has been engraved with a design of a formal dragon and sword above a conventional lotus; on the other, Japanese script for the divinity Tamonten has been added, as well as a groove of medium width.
All the mounts are of <i>shakudo</i>, an alloy of copper and gold generally patinated to a rich black colour, with a <i>nanako</i> or 'fish roe' ground, an effect achieved by a hollow-ended punch. They have been incrusted with <i>iroe</i>, which translates as 'coloured picture', referring to designs in various colour metals. In this case, gold, silver and copper have been used to produce designs of Chinese subjects and floral sprays.
The scabbard is of lacquered wood and features a gold design of a dragon emerging from clouds.