Hiiro-Doo Kozuka Signed "Masayoshi" with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu This shakudo is very reflective

This shakudo is very reflective and it is not because of lacquer or oils

Mimi is between 6

Tsunagi length

demon representing a jealous women in Noh theater

Iron Kyo-Sukashi tsuba with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu

Hiiro-Doo Kozuka Signed "Masayoshi" with NBTHK Hozon Tosogu This shakudo is very reflectiveKozuka made of hiiro doo, it is rarely used alloy of very pure copper. Its literal meaning is "scarlet copper", also know as shudoo. Produced only from a second half of Edo period untill Meiji period. It was made by specialised shops in a time consuming way. That is why it was rather expensive. (Alloy description from "Tosogu Classroom" vol. 1, by Fukushi Shigeo, translated by Markus Sesko) Nanako ground, carved in takabori and decorated with shakudo