Antique Japanese Katana Fuchi Sword Fitting Iron Copper Mixed Metal Edo to Meiji

Japanese katana fuchi (鎚) sword fitting, iron, copper, or mixed metal with decorative ornamentation, Edo–Meiji period

Japan; Edo–Meiji period, 19th century

A Japanese katana fuchi — the collar fitting mounted at the base of the sword handle (tsuka) where it meets the blade guard (tsuba) — in iron, copper, shakudo, shibuichi, or mixed metal construction with decorative relief, inlay, or chased ornamentation. The fuchi is one of the paired kodogu fittings (fuchi-kashira) that define the decorative program of a mounted sword, and examples from the Edo and Meiji periods range from plain forged iron to highly worked pieces with landscape, figural, floral, or auspicious motifs in relief or nunome-zogan inlay. The motif, metal combination, and construction technique of each example reflect both the school and period of the maker.

• Form: Fuchi (鎚), katana handle collar fitting
• Material: Iron / copper / mixed metal (shakudo, shibuichi, or combination) — confirm in hand
• Decoration: Relief, chased, or inlaid ornamentation — confirm motif and technique in hand
• Mark: Confirm maker’s signature or school mark on interior surface in hand
• Period: Edo–Meiji period, 19th century
• Dimensions: Standard katana fuchi — approximately 1.4″W × 0.9″H (3.5 × 2.3 cm) — confirm in hand
• Condition: Please see photos for details.