Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th century Of rich, dark shakudo carved on the surface with cranes in flight before clouds in takabori, the background worked to an ishime finish, the eyes inlaid in gold With a wood tomobako storage box With Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu (Sword Fitting Especially Worthy of Preservation) no. 2005216 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), attributing this pair of fuchi-gashira to the Hayashi group, dated November 16, 2018 1 1/2in (3.8cm) wide