JAPAN - "Kodachi" type sword, 19th century, the saya scabbard in red lacquer, the tsuka handle in brown sageo weave, comprising two menuki with deity decoration, fushi-kashira in shakudo with Daikokuten and Ebisu decoration in inlay. The tsuba maru gata in openwork iron in maru bori and inlaid in gold nunome zogan with a figure riding a giant carp, signed "藻柄子宗典製" (Soheishi Soten sei). The blade, of curved shape, with bohi throat, showing wear and oxidation, unsigned. With suaka kozuka kogatana decorated in taka bori with divinities in front of tumultuous waves, on a nanako background. L. 44.1 cm (blade) L. 15.5 cm (tsuka) L. 60.4 cm (total sword excluding saya) The Fuchi (joint between the tsuba and the handle) is decorated with the god Ebisu (a divinity of happiness often represented alongside daikokuten in Japanese iconography) fishing for sea bream or sea bass, one of the classical elements associated with it. The tsuba (guard) is again of Daikokuten, sculpted in relief alongside the onemazu (a gigantic catfish on which, according to legend, Japan rests; it is often represented alongside Daikokuten). L. 15.5 cm (handle) L. 60.4 cm (whole Kodachi) L. 44.1 cm (blade) Presence of shinae (cracks or wrinkles) on the blade The back (mune) of the blade appears to be in the iori mune style: characterised by the presence of a more or less sharp edge. The Saya (scabbard) is brown in colour, the koiguchi (scabbard inlet) shows signs of wear, the sageo (scabbard rope) is brown in colour and in good condition, the kuri-gata (fastener used to attach the sageo to the belt) is made of black lacquered wood. The scabbard has no kojiri (decoration at the end of the scabbard). Length 46 cm A kogatana (small knife) with a metal handle carved with two figures facing waves rests on the scabbard. L. 20.2 cm (kogatana) Condition: The decoration on the scabbard is not stable and does not hold very well. The blade is oxidised, scratched and polished, the hamon not very visible. Provenance: Former collection of Mr. Huu Pham (Galerie Potterat)