Beautiful lacquer wooden sword stand 刀掛け (katana’kake) designed to display three swords. Embellished with a phoenix 鳳凰 (hô’ô) flying above a paulownia tree 桐 (kiri) in bloom. The sides with crests 紋 (mon) of two types of paulownia leaves with flowers. Rendered in different hues of gold and silver hiramaki-e 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer design) and takamaki-e 高蒔絵 (high-relief lacquer design). On a silver nashiji lacquer 梨子地 background. Period: Japan – 19th century (Late Edo period/Early Meiji period). Dimensions: Height 39.2 cm, Width 43.8 cm, Depth 17.9 cm. The katana’kake is in a good condition with some traces of wear conform age, like some small loss of lacquer. Please look at the photos for a condition reference. According to legend, the ho-o bird will only nest in paulownia trees, and only in peacetime and when a virtuous ruler is in power. With hopes of attracting the auspicious birds, the trees are planted in courtyards and gardens across Japan.