【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 This is a genuine matching pair of Edo period copper sword guards (tsuba), both signed and dated to 1785 (Tenmei 5). The craftsmanship demonstrates refined relief carving with intricate brass and silver inlay, framed by brass rims. The front side of each tsuba depicts pheasants with chrysanthemums, smaller birds, and flowers, while the reverse shows a riverside scene with bush clover, pampas grass, and other autumn plants, accompanied by a pair of quail and another bird. These motifs are rich in symbolism: pheasants are associated with vigilance and protection, chrysanthemums with longevity and rejuvenation, while quail among autumn grasses reflect seasonal harmony and the poetic beauty of autumn. One of the tsuba, featuring a silver pheasant and with its kozuka opening sealed, weighs 124g. The other weighs 144g. Both are inscribed on the front with "Ichinomiya Echizen Daijō Minamoto Nagatsune" (一宮越前大掾源長常) and on the back with "Tenmei 5 Nen Yayoi Kichijitsu" (an auspicious day in the 3rd month of 1785). Ichinomiya Nagatsune (1721–1786) was a celebrated sword fitting artisan of the Edo period, born in Tsuruga, Echizen Province (modern-day Fukui Prefecture). Originally a gilder, he later trained under Hosoi Takanaga of the Gotō Ryūjō lineage. He became known for his painterly approach, blending relief carving with coloured inlay, and was appointed Echizen Daijō in 1770. His works are highly valued for their artistic, almost pictorial compositions, placing him among the most skilled masters of his time in Kyoto. The pair shows natural patina, wear, discolouration, and traces of use consistent with age. The wooden box has exterior stains, and the inner fabric shows rust transfer. Please refer to the photos for a detailed view of condition. Dimensions: approx. H 8-8.3 cm W 7.3-7.7 cm D 0.4 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!