This kinko kogai is worked in shakudo with a design of assorted sea shells picked out with gold highlights, carved in high relief against a stone ground. The seller calls the subject unusual. Condition is near excellent overall, with a few very tiny nicks on the reverse, and the piece is unsigned. A kogai is one of the fittings carried in the scabbard of a Japanese sword, so this is a sword accessory rather than a blade.

For a Connecticut collector of Japanese sword fittings the appeal is in the carving: high-relief shells on a textured ground, with gold used to highlight rather than cover the shakudo. Unsigned, it is bought for the metalwork rather than a name, and the condition note of near excellent with only tiny nicks on the reverse supports that. It belongs in a fittings collection or alongside a Japanese sword, and it ships as an accessory with no dealer involved.

Key features

• Shakudo kogai with sea shell motif
• Gold highlights, high relief on stone ground
• Near excellent condition, tiny nicks on reverse
• Unsigned

Ships to your door in Connecticut as an accessory; no FFL transfer is needed.