Mulberry wood sword rack with Rindō mon design

This is a horizontally long ippon-gake. This type of sword racks was originally made primarily for displaying a tachi, although it was also used for uchigatana. The material is mulberry from Mikurajima (Shimaguwa), prized for its beautiful, tight grain. The kagamiita (a board at the center of the sword rack) is set relatively low, while the uke (the parts that receive any sword) are made slightly larger, giving the sword rack a stable and well-balanced form. The finely pierced rindō-mon (gentian flower crests) are particularly impressive and demonstrate the craftsman’s exceptional woodworking skill. It is preserved in excellent condition and is a sword rack that complements any style of koshirae.