Set of Sword Fittings with Design of Guardian Kings

This engraving in high relief on a brown copper Kozuka with a dot pattern is of Nio (Guardian King). Drapery around his shoulders and his waist is colored gold, and the back has a pattern of gold oblique lines with an inscription of Somin. Nio of A style and that of Un style are engraved in high relied and colored on plain copper Menuki. Somin was born in the Yokoya family, which had been in the business of metal carving, in 1670 of the Edo Period. He worked as an assistant in the Goto family workshops for a long time until he became independent and succeeded on his own as a metal engraver. He was occupied in Katakiri engraving and later in high relief with color. He was quite good at small fittings such as Kozuka, Menuki, Fuchigashira, rather than sword gourds.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.