Aikuchi-style sword mounting

This sword mounting was made for a national treasure sword signed ‘Yoshimitsu’. The scabbard is coated with black lacquer and the hilt is wrapped in ray fish skin. The menuki ornament pieces bound on either side of the hilt are carved in the shape of a fierce tiger. The small knife attached to the sword scabbard is decorated with a relief of abuffalo.
This mounting style with no hand guard between the hilt and scabbard is called ‘aikuchi’ (lit. fitting mouth). Swords in this style were worn by the upper-class samurai on ceremonial occasions.