Antique Japanese Edo-Period Sword Katana Fuchi Kashira Samurai Warrior in Gold on Shakudō Saw Other than an aged patine

Other than an aged patine

with exception to a small chip on the lid (see picture 10)

This is a solid wood tobakoban originally used to hold lit charcoal on a bed of ash in the copper cup installed into the wood

Having been well loved for nearly a century and a half

Antique Japanese Edo-Period Sword Katana Fuchi Kashira Samurai Warrior in Gold on Shakudō Saw Other than an aged patineThis striking matched pair of fuchi and kashira from a Japanese katana or wakizashi mount (koshirae) depicts a dynamic figure of a fully armored samurai in rich gold and copper inlay over a finely textured nanako ji ground. The warriors expressive poseone hand grasping his weapon, the other in motioncaptures the vigor and narrative flair prized in late Edo metalwork. Crafted from shakud (an alloy of copper and gold) with gilded and copper details,