Urumi lacquered sword carrying case with Gionmamori crest

Due to the Sankinkotai system (alternate attendance for Edo Shogunate of the central government), feudal lords were required to reside in Edo (now Tokyo) every other year. Every time the feudal lords would travel between their respective home provinces and Edo, vast processions were performed. During these processions, their swords were stored in strong cases with elaborate decorations and carried by their retinues.
This sword case is coated with glossy, reddish brown lacquer called ‘urumi’ and decorated with the Tachibana family crest ‘Gionmamori’ in gold maki-e design.