Antique High Quality Japanese Katana-kake From The Late Edo Period

Magnificent and high quality Antique Katana-kake from the end of the Edo Period (late 19th century).

Antique Katana-kake (horizontal support 2 swords).

The main decoration in Takamori-maki-e (3D decoration sprinkled with gold powder) represents a harmonious scene representing a Shishi (lion or Komainu) in the middle of flowering peonies, in a mountain landscape, whose finesse of the decoration demonstrates the great mastery of Urushi lacquer. The base is a traditional Urushi lacquer in Nashiji.

The Shishi (lion) is a symbol of protection, because it is the guardian of Shinto shrines and/or Buddhist temples, whose mission is to ward off evil spirits.

For Takamori Maki-e, Sumi-ko powder (charcoal) and Suzu-ko powder (tin) are placed, to give a lot of volume. After drying, hairspray is applied to amplify the volume, then gold powder is sprinkled and smoothed.

On the feet, leaves are painted in Maki-e, on the branches clouds are painted in Maki-e.

Condition: It is entirely original, there are no major defects, but be aware that there are some minor lacquer losses, scratches and dirt due to the age of this support.

Dimensions (approximate):

Length: 53.5cm
Height: 35.5cm
Width: 19.8cm