A kinko kodzuka, the fitted handle for the small utility knife carried in a Japanese sword scabbard, worked in silver plate over a copper base. The design shows a quarter moon above grass and flowers, with the flowers continuing around onto the edge. It is signed Mitsu Toshi, the eleventh mainline master of the Goto school, who lived from 1662 to 1721 and used the art name Tsujo; the reference given is Nihonto Koza, volume 6. There are small dents along the edge.

This is a signed piece from a named Goto master, and the published reference is what a New Jersey collector of sword fittings will want to check first. It belongs in a fittings collection or mounted on a tanto or wakizashi koshirae that is missing its kodzuka. The dents on the edge are disclosed and should be weighed against the signature and the quality of the moon-and-flower work.

Key features

• Silver plate over copper base
• Quarter moon over grass and flowers
• Signed Mitsu Toshi, 11th Goto mainline master
• Reference: Nihonto Koza, Vol. 6
• Small dents on edge

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