A Woven Wild Grape Bark Blade Sheath: Rustic

$225.00 USD

early twentieth century
9" x 4 1/2" x 1 3/4", 22.85 cm x 11.4 cm x 4.4 cm

It is understood that this type of beautifully compact small woven vessel was made to sheathe an axe blade.  Its slender form is beautiful in scale with the size of the wild mountain grape bark that was used to weave it.

The basket itself is relatively flat, or pouch-like and it is easy to imagine a blade slipping into it. 

This is a really beautiful, little piece of old Japan, and one that must hold stories of whomever used this vessel in his daily life.

A gorgeous and covetable artifact--you might consider hanging it on the wall and transforming it into a small ikebana vase.

Recommended.

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