Knife Handle (Kozuka)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi)
Dimensions
L. 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm); W. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); thickness 1/4 in. (0.6 cm); Wt. 1.4 oz. (39.7 g)
Classification
Sword Furniture-Kozuka
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Accession Number
14.40.903
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century Japanesekozuka*, or knife handle, is a example of sword furniture from the Arms and Armor collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. just under 4 inches long, it served the handle for a small utility (*kozukatana*) tucked into the scabbard a samurai sword—a practical yet highly decorative accessory reflecting the warrior class's blend of function and artistry during Japan's late Edo period. Crafted from traditional alloys like shakudō (a copper-gold mix that develops a rich black patina), shibuichi (copper-silver for subtle grays), gold, and silver, the handle s...