Sakai kamon koshirae

Edo Period Buke-Zukuri Koshirae with Sakai Clan Kamon

Tokubetsu Hozon, NBTHK

This Edo-period buke-zukuri koshirae represents a formal and fully mounted configuration for a high-ranking retainer of the Sakai clan, a powerful fudai (hereditary) daimyo house aligned closely with the Tokugawa shogunate. The mounting is executed in a restrained yet stately manner, in keeping with buke sensibilities, favoring dignity and functional clarity over ostentation—hallmarks of the martial aristocracy of the Edo polity.

The lacquered saya is finished in a dramatic kawari-nuri style, evoking natural textures with depth and luster, while the white sageo offers refined contrast against the rich tones of the scabbard. The tsuba, fuchi-kashira, and menuki are coordinated in a unified kamon motif, featuring the maru-ni mitsu-oi (three-fold fan crest) of the Sakai, rendered in gold on nanako ground. The precision of these crests across the fittings attests to the quality of the workmanship and the elevated status of the original owner.

The set is accompanied by a Tokubetsu Hozon kanteisho from the NBTHK, confirming the historical significance and preservation of the piece. As a complete and authenticated ensemble, this koshirae offers both a tangible connection to the daimyo culture of Edo Japan.