Knife Handle (Kozuka) Depicting Shells on Beach (海辺に貝散図小柄)
The motif plate of this kozuka shows a beach with an arrangement of shells which are decorated with a differently colored abalone and mother-of-pearl inlay. The waves are decorated with a shell inlay as well. The areas that represent the beach show a sunago-zōgan inlay (lit. "sand inlay").
A kozuka is a handle of a by-knife that is part of a sword mounting. It is kept in a slot on the reverse of a katana scabbard, often with a matching kōgai (hairdressing tool).
A kozuka is a handle of a by-knife that is part of a sword mounting. It is kept in a slot on the reverse of a katana scabbard, often with a matching kōgai (hairdressing tool).
Artwork Details
- Title: Knife Handle (Kozuka) Depicting Shells on Beach (海辺に貝散図小柄)
- Date: 18th–19th century
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, brass, abalone shell
- Dimensions: L. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); W. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 1.1 oz. (31.2 g)
- Classification: Sword Furniture-Kozuka
- Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
- Object Number: 91.1.841
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Japanese
late 14th century
Hirata School
ca. 1615–1868
Japanese
5th century
Japanese
5th century
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