This used kinko kozuka, spelled kodzuka by the supplier, is worked on a polished copper ground. On the front, a robed figure in shakudo with silver highlights carries a gold lantern, while a shakudo bird in flight has a gold eye and foot. The reverse shows a polished shakudo ground. The piece is signed with a kao. The supplier draws attention to the layout: the shakudo ground beneath the figure wraps around the edge and continues up the reverse, so the design is not confined to one face. It is listed under Japanese Swords, Fittings and Firearms as SKU MGJ690.

For a Connecticut collector this is a fitting to study in the hand, because the composition reads across both sides rather than stopping at the edge. The signature and kao give a research starting point, and the mix of copper, shakudo, gold and silver shows the range of kinko work in one small piece. It displays well alone or matched to a scabbard with an empty kozuka pocket.

Key features

• Kinko kozuka on polished copper ground
• Shakudo figure, silver highlights, gold lantern
• Shakudo bird with gold eye and foot
• Reverse in polished shakudo
• Signed with kao

This kozuka ships to the door in Connecticut; sword fittings do not pass through an FFL dealer.