Copper alloy, carved centipede design, single menuki, signature "Haruaki," high-relief carving, color inlay, and hair-line engraving. I believe this is a work by Kono Haruaki, a master craftsman of the late Edo period, comparable to Goto Ichijo. The design appears bold, yet each individual leg is meticulously engraved with fine hair-like lines. The centipede is said to never retreat and is also a messenger of Bishamonten, making it highly favored by warlords during the Sengoku period. Takeda Shingen's messenger unit was called the "Mukade-shu" (Centipede Group), and their flag emblem was a centipede. There is almost no age-related soiling or deterioration, and it is in very good condition. Please check the images carefully. Due to the influence of light, the colors may appear slightly different from the actual item. Also, there may be slight differences depending on the browser of your computer or smartphone. Please understand. Size: Length: Approximately 1.41cm, Width: Approximately 4.03cm, Thickness: Approximately 0.5cm (excluding the tang) Sword fittings, tsuba, guard, Japanese sword, katana, wakizashi, tanto, koshirae, exterior, high-relief carving, menuki, handle.