Ezo koshirae

[Ken-Hawaii]

Does anyone have detailed information on how Ezo koshirae are made? I just purchased a very nice Norimitsu katana that is in wonderful condition, but it's the koshirae that really catches my eye!

 

 

 

 

One side of the saya is made of what appears to be a takamaki-e (raised maki-e) that is almost as solid as the metal side. I can't find much information on Ezo on-line, & so hope one of you experts can lead me in the right direction.

 

Many thanks!

Ken

[Lance]

I don't think the koshirae would qualify as Ezo, looks like a variation of late Edo-Meiji brass or silver mounts said to be made for export. From a couple swords I had in the past in these types of mounts they appeared to be made up of different panels molded/carved and held onto the saya and tsuka by metal bands, maybe gliued onto the saya as well?

Bob Benson's Bushido newsletters put ot some years ago had some articles about the history of Ezo fittings, I think they originated during Nambokucho, and almost looked like some of the metal trim found on old armors

Below is a link from an old discussion:

 

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/ ... 0&start=15

Attache a picture of a tsuka from an old Muromachi period Ezo tachi, turns out it came from an online image gallery belonging to Ford

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/10292032 ... 0461207557

 

Then again here's another sword from a Japanese dealer calling similar mounts Ezo, maybe the term has a broader usage and can be used to refer to large plate metalwork?

http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/O25716_T5940_E.htm

 

 

 

Regads.

Lance

 

 

edited for spelling

[uwe]

Hi Ken,

I`m afraid I`m with Lance. Almost sure that it isn`t an Ezo-koshirae The name Ezo-koshirae arisen in the Meji-period and means northern (emishi) mounting. Mostly elaborately decorated with typical carvings of the northern natives.

Regards

Uwe

[Chishiki]

Hi.  Did you do more research into this koshirae?  Do you have more pics to share?  Mark