A kinko fuchi and kashira, the matched collar and pommel cap from a Japanese sword hilt, worked in soft metal. The ground is shakudo finished in nanako, the fine punched-dot texture, and the design shows robed scholars picked out in gold, silver, shakudo and copper highlights. The set is unsigned, and the listing gives no dimensions or period, so the workmanship visible in the photos is what you are judging.

This is a fitting for the Pennsylvania collector who is restoring or dressing a koshirae, or who collects fuchi kashira on their own as miniature metalwork. Unsigned sets are judged on execution, so look closely at the nanako ground and the inlaid figures. Check the fuchi opening against the tang of the blade you intend to mount it on before committing. Displayed in a box, the mixed-metal scholars read well under a lamp.

Key features

• Kinko fuchi and kashira set
• Shakudo nanako ground
• Robed scholars in gold, silver, shakudo, copper
• Unsigned

Sword fittings ship to your door in Pennsylvania; an adult signature may be requested.