JAPAN - Katana, 19th century, the saya in black and red lacquered wood, decorated with a koiguchi with a black sageo on a black lacquered wood kuri-gata, and finished with a sober kojiri in black lacquered wood. On the other side of the saya is a black metal hairpin (kanzashi), engraved in the same style as the kogatana. The black braided tsuka handle on a white shagreen background includes a pair of menuki decorated with shishi. The shibuichi kashira is sober, while the suaka fuchi has a chiselled decoration of tumultuous waves. The shibuichi nagamaru-gata tsuba is decorated with openwork maru bori and inlaid with gold nunome zogan flowers. The plain metal habaki has a light patina. The long, iori mune-backed blade is unsigned. The kotagana with shibuichi kozuka decorated with flowering branches in hira zogan. L. 21 cm (tsuka) L. 63.8 cm (blade) L. 67.5 cm (saya) L. 21.8 cm (kogatana) L. 21.3 cm (needle) L. 91 cm (total length of katana excluding saya) Condition: The blade shows light soiling and marks on the edge, the kogatana and needle show oxidation, the saya shows wear from use. Provenance: Former collection of Mr. Huu Pham (Galerie Potterat)