A wari-kogai is the split, two-piece form of the kogai, the slender implement carried in the scabbard of a Japanese sword. This one is decorated with ferns, a tree and birds, and the supplier judges the metal to be shibuichi. It comes in a custom box and is graded in excellent condition. The listing calls it rare and elegant and gives no school, signature or period.

The supplier's rare label is the point here: an Illinois collector building a complete set of fittings will often have tsuba, menuki and kozuka long before a wari-kogai. The fern, tree and bird scene is the kind of quiet landscape subject that repays a loupe, and the custom box means it stores safely between viewings. Note that the shibuichi identification is given as an appearance, not a tested result, and request photos of the two halves separated if you want to see the split construction.

Key features

• Wari-kogai with ferns, tree and birds
• Appears to be shibuichi
• Custom box included
• Excellent condition

The wari-kogai ships in its box to your door in Illinois.