Large and Small Mounting with Gold-Plated Scabbard

These large and small scabbards are in the style of inrô kizami, lacquered in green near the hilt and gold-plated at the end of the scabbard, which was a popular decoration of the Momoyama period (1573-1615). These mountings were made sometime during the Kan'ei era (1624-44F). The metal fittings, including menuki (hilt ornamentation) with carved hermits and warriors, are also exceptional, making this work one of a few extant masterpieces that exhibits the extravagance of the Momoyama period. They were handed down among the Tachibana family of Yanagawa in Chikugo Province (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture).

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.