Japanese Antique Large Menuki — Dragon (Ryu) Design, Gilt Bronze, Sword Handle Fitting, Edo Period Description: Japanese Antique Large Menuki (大目貫) — Dragon Design, Gilt Bronze Sword Handle Fitting A boldly sculpted antique Japanese large menuki (大目貫), a decorative fitting mounted on the handle (tsuka) of a Japanese sword as part of a complete koshirae (sword mounting). This exceptional piece depicts a powerful ascending dragon (昇龍 — shoryu) rendered in high relief with remarkable detail — scales, claws, horns, and coiling body are all clearly defined, with traces of original gilt highlighting remaining on key areas of the design. The reverse shows intact retention pins (根 — ne), confirming this is a genuine antique menuki rather than a decorative reproduction. Item Details: Type: Large Menuki (大目貫) — Japanese sword handle fitting Design: Ascending dragon (昇龍 / Ryu) Material: Bronze with gilt (金色) highlights Length: approx. 5.0 cm Retention pins (根) present on reverse No box or certificate Condition: Surface patina and minor verdigris consistent with age. Gilt highlights partially remaining. Retention pins intact. Please refer to all photographs carefully before bidding. Sold as antique — as found condition. Period: Estimated Edo period (1603–1868) Shipping: Carefully packed and shipped from Japan with full tracking.