Japan, 19th centuryBoldly carved as a shachihoko (dragon fish), its fierce expression marked by large bulging eyes, its long body with wave-like scales, an old fabric cord attached.LENGTH 42 cmCondition: Good condition with old wear, some deterioration due to age or insect activity, minor chips and small losses, few minuscule nicks.Provenance: European collection.During the Edo period, with the end of the civil rivalry between the Shogun and his enemies, carrying arms became obsolete in Japan. The wearing of small dummy swords by the Samurai was imitated by doctors, artists, and other professionals as a symbol of social and professional status. During the 18th and 19th centuries the bokuto lost its sword-like appearance and size and took on a more abstract and decorative form, continuing into the Meiji period.